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  #1  
Old 07-10-2014, 01:43 PM
joertexas joertexas is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 26
Default New Fuel Tank Design?

I thought I'd read somewhere that Van's is considering a more robust fuel tank design. Although most incidents energetic enough to breach the fuel tank are probably not survivable, the idea of being bathed in avgas isn't appealing, especially considering the rollover after a forced landing scenario.

Is there an updated design in the works?

JR
Hopeful future RV-12 builder/owner
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  #2  
Old 07-10-2014, 02:28 PM
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Jetguy Jetguy is offline
 
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Location: Texas, Fort Worth
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joertexas View Post
Is there an updated design in the works?
No! What is currently available is the same tank that has been slightly modified over a period of time as more experience or feed back has been received from the line through accidents that have occurred.
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RV12 N1212K
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  #3  
Old 07-10-2014, 03:10 PM
Driftdown Driftdown is offline
 
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Location: Clearwater, Florida
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joertexas View Post
. . . "Although most incidents energetic enough to breach the fuel tank are probably not survivable, the idea of being bathed in avgas isn't appealing, especially considering the rollover after a forced landing scenario." . . .
That was a major consideration when I made my final choice on an LSA.
I did not end up with the RV-12.
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  #4  
Old 07-10-2014, 10:23 PM
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KALEWIS KALEWIS is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Jackson, OH
Posts: 489
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Ever fly a cub or champ? The fuel tank is almost in your lap! The P-51 even had a tank right behind the pilot (I think ) !
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  #5  
Old 07-11-2014, 04:26 AM
bobnoffs bobnoffs is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: n. wi
Posts: 777
Default

i don't think the issue was so much about where the tank is mounted as much as the strength of the tank to survive abuse.
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dakota hawk/jab 3300 built and flying. sold 6/18.getting serious about the 12. in the hangar now as of 10/15/19
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  #6  
Old 07-11-2014, 08:05 AM
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Geico266 Geico266 is offline
 
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Location: Huskerland, USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KALEWIS View Post
Ever fly a cub or champ? The fuel tank is almost in your lap! The P-51 even had a tank right behind the pilot (I think ) !
There was an 85 gallon tank behind the pilot in a P-51, most have been removed to make room for a second seat.
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  #7  
Old 07-11-2014, 08:44 AM
Top Cat Top Cat is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fort Mill SC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobnoffs View Post
i don't think the issue was so much about where the tank is mounted as much as the strength of the tank to survive abuse.
When I did a demo with Mitch Lock in the RV12 I asked him about the fuel tank (position, rupturing on impact etc)?his response was that Vans tested it to over 30gs without it breaking.

Just adding this to the mix.
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  #8  
Old 07-11-2014, 02:55 PM
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Dgamble Dgamble is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Top Cat View Post
When I did a demo with Mitch Lock in the RV12 I asked him about the fuel tank (position, rupturing on impact etc)?his response was that Vans tested it to over 30gs without it breaking.

Just adding this to the mix.
And then at least two did break, resulting in two service bulletins. The jury is still out as to the efficacy of the 2nd fix, as far as I know.
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The above web blogs and any links provided thereto are not instructional or advisory in nature. They merely seek to share my experiences in building and flying Van's RV airplanes.
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  #9  
Old 07-11-2014, 06:20 PM
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Phantom30 Phantom30 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Driftdown View Post
That was a major consideration when I made my final choice on an LSA.
I did not end up with the RV-12.
Too bad...your mistake!!!!!!!
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RV-12 Kit#729 "N312RD" is now a full functioning fun machine!! Thanks Van for fulfilling my dream😎
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  #10  
Old 07-11-2014, 08:19 PM
Driftdown Driftdown is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Clearwater, Florida
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phantom30 View Post
Too bad...your mistake!!!!!!!
. Actually, I ended up with a really nice airplane for a fraction of the cost of a new RV-12.

That withstanding, the RV-12 is a great little airplane.
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