Van's Aircraft RV-7A, Flight Manual

Page: 140 / 181

HB-YMT Airplane Flight Manual
7–36 Description of the Airplane and its Systems 01/00
7.10.1 Tanks
There are 2 integral wing tanks
2 integral wing tanks 2 integral wing tanks
2 integral wing tanks, with a capacity of
21USG/79l each 21USG/79l each 21USG/79l each 21USG/79l each giving a total system capacity of
42USG/157l.
They have fixed-low-lying pickups, meaning fuel can only be
fed at zero to positive load factors.
Each tank has a mechanical “float type” fuel sender installed.
Although they are carefully calibrated, a visual check of fuel
quantity / dipstick is recommended before flight.
Each tank is vented via a line that enters the fuselage and
terminates near the firewall on the belly. The vent lines are
protected by a screen from insects etc… They should be
verified unobstructed during the walk-around inspection.
Each tank has one drain valve at the bottom, mainly to
remove any water that could have entered the tank. They
also work well as a grounding point during refueling.
Due to the construction of various chambers in the tanks,
fuel will take a while to balance from the chamber with the
nozzle to the rest of the tank. When intending to “top it off”,
it has to be done in several steps and with a bit of patience.
The fuel return line terminates outboard of the first rib. This
gives it some distance from the pickup, designed to avoid
“foaming”.