>I guess this begs the question of what is minimum fuel. I will have about >2 1/2 gal at 1/4 tank indicated. Just over 1 1/2 gal when the low fuel >warning light comes on, and none when the engine quits. Or it could be >useable reserve for a half hour of flight after my destination which may >equate to some where around 4 gal. Not trying to be wise but I don't know >my actual fuel burn at full power yet. But I did want to complete fuel >flow testing while I'm set up for it. >Joe Horton +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Joe, There are basicaly two answers to your question and you hinted at both. "Legal" minimum as I recall is fuel to get to your destination + 30 minute reserve or something like that. The more important thing to consider though is "when will the engine quit". Fuel in the tank is useless if it won't keep the engine running. The Tripacer is placarded for "no takeoff on right tank with less than 1/3 fuel". The way the right tank is plumbed it may not produce the fuel flow in flight modes other than straight and level to keep the engine running. A rule of thumb for fuel burn is 1/2 pound per horsepower per hour. In the case of the Corvair producing 110 hp for a go-around that would be 110/2=55/6=approx 9 gph. That is probably a bit high but 9 X 1.5 gives you a number of approx 14 gph to shoot for in the flow test. The high test number allows for the system to degrade with dirty filters, dirt in the line, etc., and not create a problem. Starting with an empty tank, pour in a known amount of fuel. Test the flow rate in each flight attitude and see how much of that known amount will actually get to the engine. That will give you your useable fuel on board numbers for each flight mode. You may find that you can keep the engine running down to the last few drops in the tank and even make an approach to land but a go-around will cause the engine to go silent. You need to know your aircraft limits beyond just what is legal. Different pilots will impose different minimums for themselves. You may set your minimums well above the legal limits. You have to go with what you're comfortable with. Pushing yourself beyond your personal limits can take the fun out of flying in a real hurry. Only once have I pushed the Tripacer beyond my comfort level when I was expecting REALLY CHEAP FUEL at the destination. The Tripe has 36 gal tanks and I took on 33.2 gallon. Needless to say, flying along keeping the feeding tank wing high and looking for possible off field landing sites is no way to finish a flight. Saving 40 cents a gallon doesn't seem like a priority at that point. Larry Flesner
