|
-
POSTING RULES
-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|
07-18-2018, 11:11 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: KASH
Posts: 496
|
|
Flop tube longevity?
Hello all,
I'm getting ready to reattach the wings as I finish up my RV-7 project. I installed a flop tube in the left wing back in 2009 (yes, it's a slow build).
Do flop tubes have a life limit? Do they lose flexibility over time? Mine hasn't been immersed in fuel which I assume would age the rubber interior but all hoses have a life limit and I'm wondering if the flop tube should be replaced?
Thoughts?
Dave
__________________
Dave Setser
RV-7 airworthy!
Nashua, NH (KASH)
Putting the "slow" in slow-build since 2004!
|
07-18-2018, 11:16 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Floyds Knobs, IN
Posts: 631
|
|
Once in fuel, best to leave in fuel, in my experience.
__________________
RV-6, bought from builder.
O-320, slider, carb, mags, FP
|
07-18-2018, 11:18 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC25
Posts: 3,503
|
|
IMHO, you will get all kinds of comments by asking on the internet.
The best way is to phone or email Van's Aircraft and ask them.
I have flop tubes in both tanks flying over 20-years. 8 to 10-years ago, I had tanks off for a Service Bulletin and purchased two new flop tubes to replace when they were open. The 10-year old hoses were inspected then found to be as good as the new ones so were left installed. The new ones sold on VAF classified at a discount.
IF you do not wish to call Van and have a concern about the old flop tube(s) then the best thing would be to replace them.
__________________
Gary A. Sobek
NC25 RV-6 Flying
3,400+ hours
Where is N157GS
Building RV-8 S/N: 80012
To most people, the sky is the limit.
To those who love aviation, the sky is home.
|
07-18-2018, 11:29 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: KASH
Posts: 496
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RV6_flyer
IF you do not wish to call Van and have a concern about the old flop tube(s) then the best thing would be to replace them.
|
Gary,
I don't really have a concern, it's more of an interest item which is why I'm willing to post the question online - I was looking for experience such as yours.
If when the wings are on the flop tube flops as it should and I don't have much unusable fuel in the left tank, I'll be happy!
Thanks very much for your reply.
Dave
__________________
Dave Setser
RV-7 airworthy!
Nashua, NH (KASH)
Putting the "slow" in slow-build since 2004!
Last edited by Thermos : 07-18-2018 at 11:31 AM.
|
07-18-2018, 07:40 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Indianapolis, IN (KUMP)
Posts: 1,019
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thermos
(yes, it's a slow build).
|
That's nothin' ... I closed up the tanks on my SB -8 wings in 2007  (and I am nowhere close to flying...)
Have been wondering the same thing myself. They've been sitting vertically in a stand, so if the tubing got stiff it probably isn't in the bottom corner...
__________________
Thomas Short
KUMP - Indianapolis, IN / KAEJ - Buena Vista, CO
RV-10 N410TS bought / flying
RV-8 wings / fuse in progress ... still
1948 Cessna 170 N3949V
|
07-19-2018, 10:29 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Senoia, Georgia
Posts: 800
|
|
I installed my flop tube circa 1999. It has been in service since 2007. It?s definitely something I?ve thought about, but thus far I haven?t had any trouble with it. I regularly do sustained inverted flying with as little as 6-7 gallons in the tank. It?s still going strong despite the abuse.
BTW, I once measured the unusable fuel in a level attitude. The right side with the fixed tube was 4 oz and the left with the flop tube was 13 oz.
__________________
Jerry Esquenazi
RV-8 N84JE
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:10 PM.
|
Linear Mode
