Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 02.20.06

Your airplane’s engine drones smoothly—and then it quits. One of the most common causes of in-flight engine failure is fuel contamination. And the most common contaminant is water.

From the FAA

• Water may remain in fuel tanks after fuel strainers cease to show any trace of water. Residual water can be removed only by draining the fuel tank sump drains.
• Identify suspended water in fuel by a cloudy appearance of fuel, or separation of water from colored fuel after water has settled to the bottom of the tank. For safety drain all fuel sumps every preflight.
• Fill fuel tanks after the last flight of the day. This inhibits condensation since no air space is left exposed.
• Each additional day adds to condensation within the tanks.

And some Aero-Tips for preflighting your fuel tanks:

• Rock the wings before sampling fuel. Water may get trapped behind bends in “wet” wings, or folds in rubber fuel bladders. Rocking the wings can dislodge trapped water, permitting it to settle into sumps.
• Allow time for water to settle. One of my Aviation Safety professors demonstrated that water takes up to 15 minutes to precipitate out of one inch of aviation gasoline. Best results come from fueling right after landing, rocking the wings to dislodge trapped fuel, then waiting until just before takeoff to drain the sumps.
• Hold fuel samples against the airplane when checking fuel color. Blue- or even grey-sky background makes clear water look like blue-tinted fuel.
• Check fuel caps and ports for leaky seals or O-rings that can admit water. Replace cracked O-rings (or report them to the airplane’s owners).

Aero-tip of the day: Never skimp on draining all fuel sumps, after doing all you can to permit water to make it to the drains.

FMI: Aero-Tips