>Speaking about outer wing tanks, whats the advantages and disadvantages of >this. The plans say to put the fuel out there but I haven't seen any KR's >with that setup. >Justin +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Justin, I don't recall the plans suggesting tanks in the "outer wing panels". I seem to recall they suggested additional fuel in the stub wings. It's been a while since I looked at that part of the plans so I'll let that stand. As to the advantages and disadvantages I'm assuming you mean eliminating the header tank and putting all fuel in the wings. If not you can pick and choose from the following. Advantages - It removes the fuel storage from the cockpit and places it the greatest possible distance from the occupants. - The weight being outboard of the WAF's helps to "unload" that part of the structure. - In my case the tanks are long and narrow and my CG shift from full fuel to no fuel is only 1 inch and it moves forward. Disadvantages - Your lose the reliability of gravity feed although I think a gravity feed system with a low head pressure is probably less tolerant of system problems. - The fuel system will be more complicated and weigh more as well as increasing the complexity of attaching the outer wing panels. - If not designed properly you could have a more aggravated failure mode. For example, if you were to put a pump in each wing and one failed and you had no way of pumping fuel from that wing, you'd probably want to land very soon. With 10 gallon tanks you could have one wing get up to 60 pounds heavier than the other if the flight is continued till near empty fuel. Your options here are to design those types of failure modes out of the system. In my case I have a simple ( I think ) system that allows me to pump from either/both wing tanks with either/both pumps. I also have backup power for the elect fuel pumps if I have to shut down my elect system. Remember what I said about more complexity and weight? There's no such thing as a FREE LUNCH. Only the builder can decide what they are the most comfortable with. If you're not going to be comfortable flying the airplane you're building you may as well shoot it now. :-) Larry Flesner
