AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION
The a/s fuel system is used to deliver fuel to the engines under
a wide range of operational conditions.

 The system must have a means of safety holding the fuel, allow
filling and draining of the tanks, prevent unwanted pressure build
up in the system and protect the system from contamination and
assure a steady supply of fuel to the engine.

 The system must also provide a means of monitoring the

quantity of fuel on the aircraft during flight and in some aircraft , a
means of checking fuel pressure, temperature and flow rate.
 REQUIREMENT OF FUEL SYSTEM
 The aircraft fuel system stores fuel and delivers the proper
amount of clean fuel at the right pressure to meet the demands of
the engine.
 A well designed fuel system ensures positive and reliable fuel
flow throughout all phases of flight, which include changes in
altitude, violent maneuvers and sudden acceleration and
deceleration.
 Furthermore, the system must be reasonably free from
tendency to vapor lock, which can result from changes in ground
and in-flight climatic conditions.
 Such indicators as fuel pressure gages, warning signals, and
tank quantity gages are provided to give continuous indications
of how the system is functioning.
Contd….
A simple fuel system may consists of a gravity feed tank, a filter,
a shut off valve and suitable rigid and flexible pipes between
these components and the engine.
The tank would be vented to atmosphere and means of
indicating the quantity would be provided.
This type of system is adequate for a piston engined, high wing
aero plane, and is often used.
However larger multi engined, particularly those fitted with
turbo propeller or turbo-jet engine, require a more sophisticated
system, with facilities to enable transfer of fuel, electronic control
of fuelling, and controls and indicators for many functions not
necessary in a simple system.
FUEL SYSTEM FOR SMALL AIRCRAFT
 FUEL SYSTEM FOR SMALL AIRCRAFT
Figure 1 illustrates a simple fuel system such as may be used on a
modern light a/c.
It consists of a rigid Al alloy tank, or a flexible tank is housed in each
wing and feeds fuel to a selector valve, the control for which is located in
the cabin. From this point the fuel is fed through a filter and booster
pump to the engine carburetor.
Each fuel tank is fitted with a vent pipe, which has its open end outside
the wing structure, in order to ensure that atmosphere pressure is
maintained in the tank.
A NRV in the tank prevents fuel from siphoning through the vent pipe,
and a bleed hole in the NRV prevents the build-up of pressure as a
result of fuel expansion, when NRV is closed.
Coarse mesh filters are generally fitted at the filler opening, and at the
outlet pipes, in order to prevent large objects from passing in to the
system.
Contd…………..

A drain valve , fitted to the lowest point in each tank , is

used to drain off fuel and any water which may have
collected through condensation, or have been introduced
during refueling.
 The fuel tanks of light a/c should be filled as soon as
possible after a flight , to minimize condensation.
Note: A small quantity of liquid should be drained off through
the tank and main filter drain valves before flight, to remove any
water which may have accumulated.
The tanks are fitted with a content gauge , which may be a
float operated mechanical unit, a float operated electrical
unit, or an electrical capacitance type unit.
Contd…….
The selector valve enables the engine to be fed from individual
tanks, or both tanks together, and an OFF position is also usually
provided to enable the supply to be turned OFF. This latter
position is particularly important with those high wing
aeroplanes which have engines fitted with float chamber
carburetors, since a small leak past the float valve could result in
complete loss of fuel when the a/c is parked, it is also essential to
be able to turn off the fuel supply in the event of an engine fire.
Selector valves are usually rotary valves, and the operating
lever may be mounted directly on the valve, or located remote
from the valve and connected to it by mechanical linkage.
In either case it is important that the operating lever is
accurately aligned with the valve, and represent the true position
of the valve at all selected positions, a detent at each position
assists proper selection.
Contd…….
In some systems an additional valve may be fitted in the
fuel feed line, to isolate the tanks for maintenance purposes.
This valve will usually be wire locked to the ON position for
normal operations.
The main fuel filter is usually fitted to the lowest point in
the system, so that water and sediment, being heavier than
fuel, will collect at this point.
The filter is designed to remove both water and dirt from
the fuel by trapping them in the sediment bowl.
The sediment bowl is attached to the body of the filter by a
quick-release fitting, thus assisting easy removal for
cleaning and examination of the filter element.
Rigid or shell tanks

Installation
INSTALLED TANKS
INSTALLATION OF FLEXIBLE TANK
Contd…
INSPECTION ON FLEXIBLE FUEL TANKS
INTEGRAL TANKS
INSPECTION
Continued
Pressure Test of Rigid tanks
Continued……..
Pressure Test of Flexible Tanks
Pressure Rig Method
CHEMICAL METHOD
Continued
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
Continued
PREVENTION
BIOBOR
FUNGUS REMOVAL
FUEL JETTIONING
Continued……..