> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of > David Megginson > Sent: 26 July 2004 23:41 > To: FlightGear developers discussions > Subject: Re: [Flightgear-devel] Tried the Spitfire > > > Vivian Meazza wrote: > > > I think I would expect an engine running out of fuel to > rapidly lose > > power and wind down, not stop abruptly as it would if you > opened the > > magneto switches. I have to say that is based on motor > racing rather > > than aviation experience. Haven't tried it while airborne, > and intend > > to avoid it if at all possible. > > I don't intend to try it either. The propeller should keep > windmilling, of > course, but I don't see how the cylinders would fire once the > fuel supply > was cut off. Even if there's still a trickle for a few > seconds, the mixture > would probably be too lean to ignite. Perhaps there would be > some surging > and roughness, as pockets of fuel separated by air fed into > various cylinders.
There is a strong possibility that air will be drawn into the fuel supply as the last of the fuel runs out from a tank (which is why it is good practice to disconnect empty fuel tanks.) > > > Slightly higher would be the suggestion that out-of-fuel > should not be > > terminal though, since pilot error can end up with a full tank not > > connected to the engine. In real life - reconnect - problem > solved (or > > nearly). So far as I can see that is not an option in our sim. > > That's not an uncommon occurrence on low-wing planes, from > what I hear: when > Cessna pilots rent low-wing planes, you sometimes get forced > landings with > one tank full and one empty (that happened in Toronto Harbour > last fall, > with no injuries, fortunately). > I think our sim should cater for that, otherwise our realism is degraded. Regards Vivian _______________________________________________ Flightgear-devel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.flightgear.org/mailman/listinfo/flightgear-devel 2f585eeea02e2c79d7b1d8c4963bae2d
