AndyJWest Posted August 10, 2014 Posted August 10, 2014 As far as I can tell, if you select less than 100% fuel in the loadout, the forward fuel tank is filled first, and any remaining fuel goes into the rear tank - so for instance starting with 50% fuel (262 litres) fills the front tank (232 litres) completely, with the rear 292 litre tank then holding 30 litres. I wonder if this is correct, or whether they should be filled evenly? The manual isn't entirely clear, but I think it implies that both tanks should be emptied together until almost empty, and accordingly the 50% fuel loadout results in the centre of gravity being rather far forward compared to a normal situation, possibly making the lack of up trim situation when landing worse. Any thoughts?
MiloMorai Posted August 10, 2014 Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) There are 2 filling points, one for each fuel tank. One is behind the air intake and the other in front of the rectangular hatch (starboard side) below the headrest. There is a fuel tank selector lever on the lower instrument panel, port side. Edited August 10, 2014 by MiloMorai
AndyJWest Posted August 10, 2014 Author Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) There are 2 filling points, one for each fuel tank. One is behind the air intake and the other in front of the rectangular hatch (starboard side) below the headrest. There is a fuel tank selector lever on the lower instrument panel, port side. I'm not sure how that is relevant to my post. My point was that the simulation fills the front tank first, and I think it may be wrong. Edited August 10, 2014 by AndyJWest could have worded that better
gavagai Posted August 10, 2014 Posted August 10, 2014 The manual isn't entirely clear, but I think it implies that both tanks should be emptied together until almost empty, and accordingly the 50% fuel loadout results in the centre of gravity being rather far forward compared to a normal situation, possibly making the lack of up trim situation when landing worse. Any thoughts? Which passage or page number? I don't see that myself. Now you have me curious to observe how fuel is drained from the tanks when they are both open. P-51D | Fw 190D-9 | Bf 109K-4 | Spitfire Mk IX | P-47D | WW2 assets pack | F-86 | Mig-15 | Mig-21 | Mirage 2000C | A-10C II | F-5E | F-16 | F/A-18 | Ka-50 | Combined Arms | FC3 | Nevada | Normandy | Straight of Hormuz | Syria
AndyJWest Posted August 10, 2014 Author Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) 'Fuel management', page 93. When a drop tank is attached, in the beginning the forward fuselage tank fuel pump shouldn’t be switched on. Fuel from the forward tank will still feed the engine pump (on condition the fuel selector is on “Auf”, that is how it should be), but it will feed only due to gravity, so at a much slower rate than the rear tank, with its pump on. Necessary for correct center of gravity position. When the drop tank is empty, switch its pump off, and switch on the forward tank fuel pump. When the white warning light for rear tank 10 liters is on, close the rear tank with the fuel selector, rear tank pump off, switch indicator to forward tank. If there is no drop tank, the forward tank pump is on, so most likely the forward tank 90-100 liter level light will go on first. In this case to close the forward tank with the fuel selector and empty the rear tank, then close the rear tank, rear pump off. As a general rule, once a fuel tank is empty, it must be closed with the fuel selector, to avoid air from the tank reaching the engine’s main pump. On page On page 87 it clearly states that the pumps should be on, and the selector should be in "Auf" (i.e. both tanks open) position for takeoff. I can't see any suggestion that once the drop tank is empty, one tank should be drained before the other. Edited August 10, 2014 by AndyJWest
Fox One Posted August 10, 2014 Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) I also think that, when selecting for example 50% fuel, both fuel tanks should be filled more evenly, instead of the rear tank being almost empty. Take off with 100% fuel, fuel selector to both open, fly until you burn 50% of fuel, then watch indicator - that's how the tanks should be filled when you select in the editor 50%. Also related to this - I did a 20 min of flight comparative test with fuel selector to both open, both pumps ON, then the same but with forward tank pump OFF, rear tank pump ON. After 20 min, the same amount of fuel was consumed from the forward tank as in the first test. This can't be right. Edited August 10, 2014 by Fox One make it more clear My DCS videos
MiloMorai Posted August 10, 2014 Posted August 10, 2014 I also think that, when selecting for example 50% fuel, both fuel tanks should be filled more evenly, instead of the rear tank being almost empty. Take off with 100% fuel, fuel selector to both open, fly until you burn 50% of fuel, then watch indicator - that's how the tanks should be filled when you select in the editor 50%. Also related to this - I did a 20 min of flight comparative test with fuel selector to both open, both pumps ON, then the same but with forward tank pump OFF, rear tank pump ON. After 20 min, the same amount of fuel was consumed from the forward tank as in the first test. This can't be right. Yes Fox One. No competent pilot would have his tanks filled so that there would be CG shift. IMO, there should only be 100% fuel for the Dora to represent RL experience.
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