seb7701

Sheesh - what to do eh? The transfer option just seems inefficient, but I am thinking perhaps I will leave as is for the time being. It had the black Ecco brand pump (original one 24yrs old) and as luck had it, I jagged the last of the identical units that Repco stocks, in Twba last week, so will slot straight in. As you say, mainly local flights, with the likely one being Roma to Dalby, so easy done on top tank alone. As it happens, it has the original fuel gauge for the top tank, so can even keep and eye and then top it up from the lower. I did manage to track down the post on your fuel line tidy up from a while back, and pleasingly, mine looks more like the after shot than the before, so not much work to do. (Pump failed on way home, as you may have heard...) Only some dodgy shots in the farm shed at moment, but will throw in a few. Still loving that grand total 510hrs on the clock and everything stock and still there, including every warning sticker I think Austflight every come up with, including the one on the fuel tank, which I thought would have been dissolved by spillage by now! Having flown it the other day for the first time, I don't even mind the pull start, given that it is routed to the pilot seat and is really a piece of cake to yank. Just need to investigate some elevator trim and ultimately some mounts for a 582. (I was informed that you can do the inverted 582 thing on the 503 mount, but it does llok a little flimsy, compared to the correct version?) Now just trying to get a chance to zip down and bring it out home.....

Interesting trade-off from what I see now. As has just been pointed out to me, plumbing from the belly to the carbs poses an issue when low on juice in the belly and decending, due to the outlet being at the rear of the tank. Not sure how much needs to be in there to avoid this starvation issue, but 45mins reserve might solve that issue perhaps, which I am guessing is around 12 litres? Option B, with upper tank as the main leaves the issue of inaccessible juice in the event of a transfer pump failure, as I mentioned. Could be a 50/50 toss up??

Hi Pat. Yeah, it just struck me as odd, yet I imagine there was a reason they had it set up to pump from lower to upper. It does actually have a gauge for the top tank, so I guess you could keep and eye on the level and pump up from down below. But just doesn't seem wise in the event that the pump fails?? More contemplating on the cards I am thinking....

Hi all. Having just taken delivery of my new (old) drifter, I am curious about the fuel tank plumbing, which uses the electric fuel pump to transfer fuel from the belly tank to the top tank, which in turn runs up to the carbies (with a squeeze bulb in line for priming). I would have thought it wiser to gravity feed from top tank to belly, then run to carbies through the electric pump to act as a boost pump. Does anyone have any wisdom for me regarding alternate arrangements? The main thought I had is that it would be pointless to have a pump failure and plenty of inaccessible juice in the belly! As always, all thoughts are appreciated!!

Yep, it's obvious the pumps needed to be changed which is why Bilby did it! Already said I dont dispute your technical explanation, it was the tyre analogy that I believe was incorrect along with the terse nature of the reply. We are all on the same team here, so all the technical explanations in the world wont hide that sort of lingo, just as the technical explanation in the last post didnt make an ounce of difference. I already indicated that I have no challenge for your solution Maj, just the delivery.

[quote=" The way you are looking at the whole thing is if for instance you changed a tyre and the brand was different to that certified , then you would have to go crying to Daffyd to have the aircraft re certified !.............Maj..... I would have to disagree with this statement, as a different fuel pump now incorporating another feature is not just a different brand of the same type of pump, as there is clearly a difference in construction of the pump. So while I agree with the options for the new pump to solve the fuel drain issue and the rotax bulletin, I don't think that was a fair statement to make. Clearly not apples with apples... And no, not even going to begin to suggest that I have the technical knowledge re this one, just don't see where the angst came in for reasonable questions.

Can anyone assist as to whether anyone does a/c engine dyno testing in Qld? I found one in SA, but was interested in whether there is anyone is Qld who could get a power rating on a Rotax 912 which is having some issues. Long story, but this would solve one of the arguments for sure...

Be nice if the drifter factory would actually do something, including simple items such as spats. From what I understand, nothing appears to have eventuated from there, despite my inital relief that there was a backup plan for drifter parts, apart from the master. Considering I would like some simple engine mount parts for a 503 to 582 conversion, it shouldnt in theory be an issue when the type certificate holder is 3hrs away, yet strangely it appears of little assistance. Does anyone else have any update on the situation down there? Probably easier to get bits from Lockwoods if we could just comfirm the differences between their drifter and the Austflight.

Welcome aboard - don't forget a couple of pics of the work in project. We're all suckers for a good work-in-progress!

Would have some 'zing' without doubt!

Ahh, sorry, good point!

Just browsing in NZ and found this. Does a Rotax 670 actually exist or is it a typo?? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/aircraft/aircraft/auction-654546459.htm

I would have expected some greater action by the agents given the ridiculously low hours on the aircraft. Not a very good advertisement to one of my favourite brand names.

The sierras sound like the go!

Can the Sierra's be used with an IPod? Fair enough they Bluetooth to a phone, but is there a 3.5mm plug anywhere perhaps?

Yep- I was delighted when he offered, I can tell you! What are you flying these days anyway?

Good point - apologies for the lack of update! After deciding it woud be do-able one way or other, I purchased my new baby and am waiting for some hangar space which we have been promised in a week or three. A/C will then be trailered carefully by the owner from his home to the airfield where the wings will be put back on and an intrepid CFI has offered to fly it home for me! Actually about a third of the price of trucking it and all going well, less chance of damage. Very excited!! eBay item 141066462377 refers!

Won't be getting back to them for other reasons now, but the flying school put me in touch and then spoke to fella from PI Helis today. He did say they were a bit busy with the GP....

Thanks - spoke with Phillip Island helis today - it is their show. All good.

Can anyone advise as to what hangarage may be available at Tooradin? I am after a couple of nights in a week or two and have so far been told only that Phillip Island Helicopters runs the whole show? (Yep, I will be ringing them, but wondered if anyone knows any more.) Thanks in advance.

Hoping so! Very well cared for, especially after speaking with owner.

For those interested parties, eBay item number 141066462377 refers.

Yep, whilst all my recent hours have been in a Tecnam or S14 RANS, there is still no substitute for simplicity. I love 'em and will enjoy the lack of stress when ai get the damn thing here!!

I hate to think about fitting of new skins Dazza - I would run out of spit from cursing!!! For those helpful souls that hae been contributing, I have since purchased my new baby and at this stage, have located very generous CFI who (at the stage) is happy to fly it back up here, all going well. As a side note, I was fairly impressed to hear how the owner got the assembled wings to Melbourne originally, by slinging them in a large tarp from the inside of the truck, with all the necessary padding. Great ideas to spread the weight evenly along the wing and eliminate bruising/rubbing on the wings. Not bad!

Ahem, yes, that's what I meant!! Are they current photos- meaning I recall you were looking at some new skins sometime soon.