Warning, fuel unequal.

[Dudester22]

Just want to ask what to do when you get the fuel unequal warning come on? In this instant I had knocked one off the fuel pumps of by mistake, so I just switched it back on and turned the other side off for a bit until it corrected itself. However, what would I do if I got this warning light came on due to damage? What would I do to correct it and what impact does fuel unequal have on the aircraft??

[SharpeXB]

1. Set the Crossfeed switch to CROSSFEED on the Fuel Control panel

2. Set wing boost pumps to OFF

3. If right system has less fuel: set right main boost pump switch to OFF

4. If left system has less fuel: set left main boost pump switch to OFF

[jubus]

What about the tank gate switch? This isn't in the manual and haven't tried this myself, but if the fuel transfer valve between main tanks is opened and you're in level flight, one could think that it might balance the tanks also.

[PFunk1606688187]

Tank gate does balance fuel systems but without the aide of boost pumps and works in level flight only when fuel is above 1300 pounds in a given tank. It is also affected greatly by aircraft attitude.

 

In the real world C model -1 one, at the end of the somewhat lengthy non-normal procedure for LEFT/RIGHT TANKS UNEQUAL. there is this note:

 

NOTE

Conditions permitting, the tank gate switch may

be used; however, the fuel imbalance must be

closely monitored.

 

and this:

 

WARNING

If the tank gate switch has been activated, do

not hot refuel until it can be verified by ground

test that the tank gate valve is closed. Hot Re-fueling Job Guide provides ground crew/pilot

verification procedures.

 

Seems as though Tank Gate isn't the preferred method for solving fuel CG balance issues and is more there in case the boost pumps totally fail. Relying on a steady automatic system also seems more prudent than relying on something which can get away from the pilot and create dangerous CGs if he isn't paying attention.

[Lordbaldur]

Turn on the crossfeed switch