low pressure area at the lower rudder fairing?

[Schooner69]

As a person upon whom TURP was committed nearly four months ago, I feel I am fully qualified to answer the question: "What's the easiest way to provide for 'creature comforts' while airborne?"

Well.... Depends...

[KayS]

Originally Posted by GordonV

Something like this ?

here we go! if i would be an boeing/airbus engineer instructed to design a fuel dumping system i wouldn't want to rely on eletrical power (pump) to dump fuel overboard in case of an emergency. so i guess this is a nice low pressure area. and the relief tube could run inside wing conduit. super simple! and it should be far away enough from the prop wash.

will try and report back.

[KayS]

thought i give an update... after some further analysing and testing over the last year, i came to the conclusion that (at least in an RV7) it is basically impossible to route any body fluids from the cabin to the outside world without the risk to make a big mess.

things like freezing of tubes, higher air pressure at the tube outlet, dihedral of the wings and the high likelihood to paint the aircrfat yellow in flight, work against that otherwise great idea.

what's left is the option to leave the fluid in the cabin, in some sort of container intended for this purpose.

does anyone installed something similar in his RV? pictures maybe...?

[74-07]

Probably the best solution. The Air Force uses something similar on long-haul flights in fighter type aircraft.

[Dan 57]

it is basically impossible to route any body fluids from the cabin to the outside world without the risk to make a big mess.

Thanks for your experimenting, sure helps the community

left is the option to leave the fluid in the cabin, in some sort of container intended for this purpose

- Soda bottle (be sure to check the neck diameter, empty before 1st use), or
- Little John (add gasket to insure no leak, or refrain from negative Gs), or
- Travel John (unfortunately not reusable)

[YellerDaisy]

I know of two RV-4's with relief tubes. Both routed the tubing down the tailspring, as far aft as possible, and work as expected. I've not heard of any flow issues or freezing events but they are in the warm southwest and probably don't fly in the temps with which you guys are concerned.

Building one has been on my list for a while because I really enjoy the big mess I make with the Gatorade bottle. Apparently an inability to loop up and then back down during use. A second option that I've heard being used is an 'external catheter' and bag (situated down near your ankle).

[AlexPeterson]

I would think if the discharge of said liquids were at the tail end of a main gear fairing, none would get on the aircraft when used in flight.

Steve, what say you?

Now, if you were taxiing propwash might be a problem...

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by Dan 57

...
- Travel John (unfortunately not reusable)

I can confirm that the travel john works great. As someone that likes to stay hydrated, anything more than an hour flight I'm probably going to use one of these. They say that you can use them multiple times until "full", but I have not tested this feature. Thanks for the reminder - I have a trip coming up, need to make sure I've got a good supply!

There's an RV-4 I know of that has a relief system with a hose to the tailwheel - it was used a lot when the owner and his wife flew a transatlantic trip. Not sure how they dealt with possible freezing...

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by rv8ch

I can confirm that the travel john works great. As someone that likes to stay hydrated, anything more than an hour flight I'm probably going to use one of these. They say that you can use them multiple times until "full", but I have not tested this feature. Thanks for the reminder - I have a trip coming up, need to make sure I've got a good supply!

Multiple uses of a single bag (until full) works fine - I have utilized this technique many times as I criss-crossed this big continent. Beats descending out of a smooth tailwind ride at 14k+ into the bumps and swelter for a “natural break”, then having to claw your way back up there with oil temps at redline!

[Ralph Inkster]

Had a conversation with a long distance ferry pilot (Trans Atlantic). His solution was to carry a few large sized Zip Lock bags. Freezer quality as they are stronger material & large because the Reservoir portion would hang lower reducing any potential for splash back.