Jump to content

Electric Pump


sseeker

Recommended Posts

Hi,

 

While I can't find anything in the manual about this, would it be appropriate to use the electric pump when landing? Being a Jabiru+Gazelle pilot I've always been taught to switch the backup pumps on on downwind, both of these aircraft are high wings so they obviously have some gravity behind them. I was told not to use the backup pump in the SportStar on downwind as it was only to aid in starting. While this seems accurate (the sporty is low wing) should I use it? Does it have enough power behind it to keep the engine running if the mechanical pump quits? Most other low wing aircraft I've been in have a fuel pump and an electric boost pump however the SportStar just has the 1 extra electric pump...

 

-Andrew

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Generaly in all the low wing A/c i have flown. Fuel pump is turned of as apart of my downwind checks.Having said that, maybe the sportstar is different. Its interesting that you cant find it in the POH.I have never flown a sporstar, Bass, and your instructor will know .Also you could PM Peter Harlow the Aus Importer he is a member here.I just cant off the top of my head think of his User name.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For what it is worth, in our Sportstar we used the three "C's" to determine when the electric fuel pump was used -

 

Climb - pump on

 

Circuit- pump on

 

Cruise- pump off

 

The Sportstar being Rotax powered the engine has a mechanical fuel pump built onto it. The electric "boost pump" is there to take on the job if the mechanical one fails. An essential item in a low wing where you won't get fuel gravity feeding if a pump fails.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My checklist for both Jabiru and Cherokee is:

 

Pre-Takeoff at the holding/runup point: Fuel pump on

 

Turning Crosswind: fuel pump off

 

Downwind checks: fuel pump on

 

In GA flying the reason for this is automatic redundancy; on short final, or a go round you don't have to stop and think; if the mechanical fuel p;ump at those points fails the electric pump takes over.

 

It's hard to understand why a Recreational Aircraft manufacturer would design a backup system which doesn't have full redundancy, it would miss the point.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The fuel tank pump has another purpose. To ensure there isn't any vapourlocking. With Mogas this is more likely than with avgas. Are we certain that the elec pump won't bypass the engine pump, in event of it failing? IF the valves are lightly loaded it will flow through it. Checking this is easy , Juat disconnect a hose downstream of the engine pump and check if any flow, with elec fuel pump ON. Nev

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My training has been electric pump on as part of pre-landing checks... and remains on for takeoff/go around until cross wind turn... to me it just makes sense from a safety perspective.

 

I have had the impression that this is just standard practice... but perhaps not with all high wing aircraft... I can't help thinking of my dear Uncle Doug when I flip the switch... perhaps reading this will help- like turning the fuel pump on it certainly can't do any harm...

 

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2000/aair/aair200000885.aspx

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is sad and a pretty convincing argument. Lots of high wing aircraft do not have fuel pumps fitted as they have a "height of fuel" that is considered enough to ensure an adequate fuel flow rate. I would suggest turning pumps on prior to take-off and turn them off at a SAFE height. Also entering the circuit till after landing. Its a shame when a perfectly operable aircraft suffers from fuel starvaton.. As you say "it can't do any harm". You should check fuel pressures to ensure that the pressure is in the correct range. High fuel pressure can cause carburetter flooding and possible fire. Nev

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A backup electric fuel pump was/is an optional item, which is probably why it is not included in the standard checklists. It is referred to in the prestart checklist in the POH and in the Evektor LSA training manual though.

 

For what it's worth, I run the pump at pre start to confirm its operation and to prime and pressurise the fuel system then shut it off again before starting.

 

The Electric fuel pump is switched back on;

 

Pre take off until ~700ft agl

 

As part of engine out drills and PFL practice

 

During pre landing checks until end of roll out.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes I thought this was the case although my CFI says the boost pump can't provide enough pressure to keep the engine running if the mechanical pump quits...Regards,

 

Andrew

Worked for me when the mechanical pump failed.

 

We had the pump on basically any time you were below 1000ft, as well as when changing tanks in the cruise.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was taught - all switches up at the holding point (this included the fuel pump) on takeoff and on downwind my checks were

 

BUMPFFH

 

Brakes

 

Undercarriage

 

Mixture

 

Pump

 

Fuel - switch on and

 

Fuel sufficient

 

Hatches and harnesses secure

 

This is a check that I run through on downwind regardless of the aircraft I am flying

 

To me, the pump should be on on takeoff and landing as they are the most critical parts of flight and if I can lessen the risks, I will do it

 

Bryon

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In GA, mine is BOUMFH

 

In RAA, we could use a checklist

 

B Brakes operating (hyd backpressure) and off

 

O Oil temp and pressure normal

 

U Undercarriage down

 

M Mixture rich, master on, mags to both

 

F Fuel on, fuel pump on, fuel sufficient for exercise

 

H Hatches, Harnesses secure

 

I'm with you Bryon, if you're going to memorise something best not to change it - I did a few flights in a retractable

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pre startup check - Pump on

 

Startup - Pump Off

 

Pre takeoff checks - Pump on

 

Climb out/crosswind - Pump Off

 

Changing tanks - Pump on

 

Downwind Checks - Pump on

 

Exit to taxiway - pump off

 

This from the Piper Cherokee Archer manual now safely packed away for my move south. I am not sure if it is Mr Piper or Mr Lycoming who is responsible but it makes good sense.

 

Bumf, Bumph, Bumfish, Boumf, Bumpffh or any other 4+ acronym doesn't matter so long as it pertains to the aircraft you are flying and it makes you remember all those things to check.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the replies, I personally use BUMFHI. Brake pressure sufficient & park brake off, Undercarriage is down, Mixture is full rich (irrelevant to most raa planes), fuel is sufficient + pump on, hatches & harness' secure & ignitions set both. On my first flight in the sporty I turned the pump on as apart of my checks (as I usually do) although the instructor said it wasn't necessary, it wasn't a bad habit either. I've flown in other low wings and it's always required that the pump is turned on during downwind, changing tanks, takeoff etc... The SportStar Plus POH doesn't state that the pump should be on.

 

-Andrew

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why do you put it on when changing tanks in the cruise? I was taught to do as you all mention above but that one is new to me, but then again I'm only starting to really understand the fuel system now too.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

A belated comment on the SportStar back-up electric fuel pump - my computer has been blocking entry to the RecFlying site for some reason.

 

The SportStar Pilot Manual states: Electric fuel pump operates during engine starting period only. It is not intended for long continuous operation for long time.

 

In a separate section it also indicates the pump should be used for start up and switched off after take-off. It should be switched on as part of downwind checks and off after landing.

 

It should also be switched on if there is a no-fire in flight engine stop. And switched off before any emergency landing.

 

Hope this is helpful.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...