Category: Fuel Tanks

Right Tank Pressure Test OK

After replacing the one bad rivet on Wednesday and letting the sealant cure, I re-pressurized the tank on Sunday afternoon. 24 hours later, the pressure reading was exactly the same, so the tank is good. As before, the zero point for the unpressurized tank was 16” WC, so I...

Right Fuel Tank Closeout and Leak Test

Over the past few weekends I worked on closing out the right fuel tank. I attached the last accessory bits (fuel pickup, vent) and then proceeded with applying the sealant for the back channel/cover. Having the wing turned 90° definitely made it easier to set the fuel tank in...

Refueling Options

As I’ve been building my second fuel tank, another thought has re-entered my mind: how to get gas to my plane. Leaded gasoline has been in the news lately, with a not-so-great spotlight being shone on aviation’s 100LL AvGas as being the last major producer of airborne lead emissions....

Right Fuel Tank Accessories

I spent some time this weekend adding components to the right fuel tank in preparation for closing it up: the fuel level sender, drain fitting, and fuel cap. I also drilled out and replaced a few sealed rivets from the previous session of setting the ribs where some rivets...

Right Fuel Tank Build

It’s been over 2 years since I built the first fuel tank. The right side fuel tank skin arrived with a big dent when I originally received my wing kit, and it took a few tries and a lot of waiting to get a replacement skin. But, with everything...

Starboard Wing Nearly Ready for Closeout

I am at a good point to pause on building the starboard wing so that I can finish the fuel tank. I completed a quick task before switching gears though – I wanted to add some protection to the wire running through the lower stringer so that it doesn’t...

Attached left fuel tank

Fresh back from my work trip to Germany, I was ready to attach the fuel tank to the wing. First, I wanted to check that all the bolts are torqued correctly on the fuel sender cover, but I wasn’t too sure about the correct torque value. The screws provided...

Fuel tank leak test passed

After the required minimum 3 days elapsed to allow the sealant to cure, I was able to perform leak tests on my left fuel tank this past weekend. I closed off the vent and fuel supply fittings, and then used a bicycle pump tethered to the fuel return fitting...

Starting Right Fuel Tank

Since I have all the fuel tank build steps fresh in my mind, I’m building the other one now. It took me about 14 hours to build the first one, not including leak testing and remediation (if needed). Let’s see how long it takes the second time?...

Closing up the fuel tank

This weekend I made it my goal to close up the left fuel tank. After one last inspection of the tank’s inside for debris, a final cleaning of all the mating surfaces, and staging all the rivets, screws, brackets, and tools, I mixed up a 66g batch of sealant...