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Thread: Sight Gauge Tubes

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Mar 2019
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    Default Sight Gauge Tubes

    Nothing more fun than a game of "What is wrong with this picture?" Shouldn't be hard to spot. IMG_5098.jpg

    This was done by the original owner/builder and I never spotted it due to the fact that I just put the wings back on Saturday. It's the first thing I have found which seems to have been done completely wrong. SOOO, I am wondering, what would be the consequences of just leaving it as is, besides not getting accurate fuel readings while on the ground? The manual shows the sight gauge tube installation being performed before the root rib is joined to the spars, so wondering if it is feasible to just plug these rittings and install new ones into the fuel tank?
    Scot Trueblood
    Bonita Springs, FL

    Kitfox IV in Phase 1 Flight Testing

  2. #2
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sight Gauge Tubes

    I think it is okay. Looks just like mine. I built it by the book.

    IMG_0296.jpg
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

  3. #3
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Yorba Linda, CA
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    Default Re: Sight Gauge Tubes

    I agree. Looks correct.
    Eddie Forward
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X

  4. #4
    Senior Member 109JB's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sight Gauge Tubes

    Tube angled further forward at bottom. Should be aft.
    John Brannen
    Morris, IL
    Sonerai IIL (Single Seat)
    Kitfox 3/4 1050 - Rotax 582 (Back Flying and sold)
    Kitfox IV 1050 - Rotax 582 (sold)
    Kitfox IV 1200 Speedster - Rotax 912 UL (project)
    Piper Twin Comanche (Sold)
    Glasair 1 FT (Waiting to start)

  5. #5

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    Mar 2019
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    Default Re: Sight Gauge Tubes

    Yes the tube should be angled aft, which begs the question, in flight, does it really matter ?
    Scot Trueblood
    Bonita Springs, FL

    Kitfox IV in Phase 1 Flight Testing

  6. #6
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sight Gauge Tubes

    You're correct. My photo is of the right wing.
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

  7. #7

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    May 2019
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
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    Default Re: Sight Gauge Tubes

    I just looked at my tanks and they are like the original post. I agree that it makes more sense to have it angled the other way but this is how the tanks came from the factory. Just don't check your gauge while in a steep climb!

  8. #8
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Nov 2013
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    Nampa, Idaho
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    Default Re: Sight Gauge Tubes

    This is the way it comes from the factory. It's OK. When you calibrate it you do it with the plane level, and possibly on the ground with a tailwheel plane (see TJ's picture).

    It should be common sense to check fuel level on any plane while level in flight.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  9. #9
    Senior Member
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    Boise, ID
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    Default Re: Sight Gauge Tubes

    Hadn't thought of this before. im guessing there is a left and right fuel tank?

  10. #10
    Senior Member 109JB's Avatar
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    Default Re: Sight Gauge Tubes

    To me the original picture is wrong, especially for a tail dragger. With the tail low you will need quite a bit more fuel for it to even register on the sight gauge when sitting on the ground. Level it doesn't really matter, but tail low you basically have no idea once the fuel level is below the bottom of the sight gauge. With it forward that is a lot more fuel on a taildragger.
    John Brannen
    Morris, IL
    Sonerai IIL (Single Seat)
    Kitfox 3/4 1050 - Rotax 582 (Back Flying and sold)
    Kitfox IV 1050 - Rotax 582 (sold)
    Kitfox IV 1200 Speedster - Rotax 912 UL (project)
    Piper Twin Comanche (Sold)
    Glasair 1 FT (Waiting to start)

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