Changing tanks on the PA 28
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Somewhere in England.
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Thanks for your comments - I saw this happen many years ago, although fortunately the PA28 managed a perfectly good forced landing straight ahead and was later flown out of the farmers field following an engineering check. It was horrifying to hear the crash alarm go off and see the fire service reacting with blues and twos.
Just another thought on how often one should change tanks.... In the states a PA28 driver had loads of fuel on the left and decided to drain the right tank (I can't remember the reasons why.)
Unfortunately, when he went to change tanks, the selector knob came off in his hand
Immediate forced landing required and made safely, but it does make you think about whether you have enough fuel, in the tank in use, to make an approach and landing at your nearest option.
Thanks for your comments - I saw this happen many years ago, although fortunately the PA28 managed a perfectly good forced landing straight ahead and was later flown out of the farmers field following an engineering check. It was horrifying to hear the crash alarm go off and see the fire service reacting with blues and twos.
Just another thought on how often one should change tanks.... In the states a PA28 driver had loads of fuel on the left and decided to drain the right tank (I can't remember the reasons why.)
Unfortunately, when he went to change tanks, the selector knob came off in his hand
Immediate forced landing required and made safely, but it does make you think about whether you have enough fuel, in the tank in use, to make an approach and landing at your nearest option.
My old club, where I flew for 15 years, had four Warriors (of varying models, specifications and ages) and an Archer. I flew each of the Warriors at one time or another. In the POH for one of these aircraft (and I can't remember which one) there were a few lines of advice on changing tanks. If I recall it correctly, Piper's advice was to run the engine on one tank for 30 minutes, then change to the other and run it dry. Then turn back to tank one ... . Maybe following that advice is what got to subject of Final 3 Greens' story into trouble?
When I checked out on a Warrior (after doing my training on a C152), I was advised to change tanks every 30 minutes: fuel pump on first, and run the pump for two or three minutes after the change before turning it off. It's worked for me for 15 years or so!
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