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The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

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220 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Art</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Helicopter</strong><br />

Fig. 6.14 <strong>The</strong> fuel system <strong>of</strong> a light piston-engine helicopter. See text for details.<br />

vent pipes so that fuel is used equally from both tanks. This prevents a lateral trim<br />

change. As <strong>the</strong> fuel level is equal in <strong>the</strong> two tanks, only one fuel level gauge is needed.<br />

<strong>The</strong> transmitter in <strong>the</strong> tank is connected electrically to <strong>the</strong> gauge on <strong>the</strong> instrument<br />

panel and so <strong>the</strong> gauge only works when <strong>the</strong> master switch is on. It is wise not to place<br />

too much trust in float gauges and it is good practice to check <strong>the</strong> level in <strong>the</strong> tank<br />

itself. Some machines have sight gauges in <strong>the</strong> walls <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tank. O<strong>the</strong>rwise a good<br />

old-fashioned dipstick can be used.<br />

Mandatory placards are placed near <strong>the</strong> tank filler caps to indicate <strong>the</strong> type <strong>of</strong> fuel<br />

to be used. RED for AVGAS, BLACK for AVTUR. It is vital that <strong>the</strong> correct fuel<br />

is loaded. Whilst a turbine will run on AVGAS, a piston engine will stop if AVTUR<br />

reaches it. Since AVTUR is denser than AVGAS, it will probably find its way to <strong>the</strong><br />

engine whilst <strong>the</strong> machine is still on <strong>the</strong> ground. A mixture <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two fuels has a very<br />

low octane, and <strong>the</strong> engine could suffer damage from detonation before it stops.<br />

When filling <strong>the</strong> tanks some consideration should be given to <strong>the</strong> fact that fuel will<br />

expand as <strong>the</strong> temperature increases. If <strong>the</strong> machine is to be flown immediately, <strong>the</strong>re<br />

is little need for concern, but if <strong>the</strong> machine is to be left in <strong>the</strong> sun for any length <strong>of</strong><br />

time <strong>the</strong>re must be headspace for <strong>the</strong> fuel to expand into or it may overflow.<br />

<strong>The</strong> commonest form <strong>of</strong> fuel contamination is water. Whilst in storage, as a tank is<br />

emptied, air fills <strong>the</strong> space above, bringing moisture with it. Condensation due to low<br />

temperatures results in water in <strong>the</strong> fuel. Condensation can also occur in <strong>the</strong> helicopter’s

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