Section 4
Normal Procedures
Columbia 400 (LC41-550FG)
RC050002
Initial Issue of Manual: November 10, 2004
4-20
Latest Revision Level/Date: -/11-10-2004
Stall Warning Vane
– The stall warning vane located on the leading edge of the left wing
should be checked to ensure freedom of movement and that the vane is not bent or otherwise
damaged.
Fuel Vents –
The airplane has a fuel vent for each wing tank. The vents are wedge shaped
recesses built into an inspection cover. They are located under each wing approximately five feet
inboard from the wing tip. The vents are installed to ensure that air pressure inside the tank is the
same as the outside atmospheric pressure. The vents should be open and free of dirt, mud, and
other types of clogging substances.
FUEL SELECTOR
The fuel system design does not favor the use of one fuel tank over the other. The various
checklists used in this manual specify “Set to Left or Right Tank.” During takeoff and landing
operations, it is recommended that the fuel selector be set to the fuller tank if there are no
compelling reasons to do otherwise. Under low fuel conditions, selecting the fuller tank may
provide a more positive fuel flow, particularly in turbulent air. The vapor suppression must be
operated while changing the selected fuel tank. However, switching the fuel tanks at low
altitudes above the ground is normally not recommended unless there is a compelling reason to
do otherwise.
When a tank is selected and the selector is properly seated in its detent, one of two green lights
on the left and right side of the fuel gauge illuminate to indicate which tank is selected. If a green
light is not illuminated, then the selector handle is not properly seated in the detent. In addition,
if the fuel selector is not seated or is in the OFF position, a red FUEL VALVE indication is
displayed on the annunciator panel.
FUEL QUANTITY
The Columbia 400 fuel quantity measuring system described on page 7-52 provides a fairly
accurate indication of the onboard fuel. The system has two sensors in each tank, and flat spots
in the indicating system are minimized. Still, the gauges must never be used in place of a visual
inspection of each tank. A raised metal tab is installed in the bottom of each tank, directly below
the filler neck, which limits inadvertent damage to the bottom of the tank from a fuel nozzle.
If the level of the fuel barely covers this tab, the tank contains about 25 gallons (95 L) of fuel.
While this is not a certified fuel level, it does provide the pilot with an approximate indication of
fuel quantity. For example, to carry about 50 gallons (189 L) of fuel on a particular flight, each
tank should be filled to the point that covers these tabs. However, since this level will vary from
airplane to airplane, the best procedure is to establish the precise quantity by having empty tanks
filled to the level of the tabs from a metered fuel supply. For fuel quantities above the level of the
tabs, a measuring stick can be made that indicates precise quantities.
Since the tab is directly below the filler hole, it is suggested that the measuring stick be placed on
these tabs when this procedure is used to determine fuel quantity. Of course, this means that it is
not possible to visually sample levels less than approximately 25 gallons (95 L). However,
setting the sampling device in the tanks at an angle to avoid the tabs will skew indications on the
stick. If such a stick is made, it must be of sufficient length to preclude being dropped into the
tank.