fuel flow sensor

prkaye · #1 10-25-2009, 08:38 AM

How important is a fuel flow sensor for an airplane with a Carbeurated engine and a FP prop? I've never used one while flying.

noelf · #2 10-25-2009, 10:15 AM

...but as a pilot, it does provide useful information, and is another way to optimize the fuel consumption of the engine knowing MP /altitude / temperature, etc. This requires you to know and remember all of the performance parameters, charts, and operating conditions of your engine, or are able to look them up in the engine operating manual.

You can take a lot of pilot memory work out of the equation (assuming you want the information and want to fine tune the engine operation) with a fuel flow sensor that inputs its data to a fuel computer that will now show gal/ hour consumption, total gal used, gal remaining...and, if provided to your (if installed and enabled) GPS, a go/ no go for your flight plan based on fuel requirements, or issue a warning if your fuel remaining will not get you to your intended destination.

A clock / stopwatch can indicate flight time, and therefor you can calculate fuel consumption, so overall fuel flow information is also available "the old fashioned way".

Only you can decide if fuel flow information is desirable.

rleffler · #3 10-25-2009, 10:31 AM

In my Cheorkee 180, I found it extremely helpful. It was more accurate than the original Piper guages. Also, with the added benefit of coupling it wih a 430/530 it provided a fuel remaning at destination estimate. Like noelf stated, it takes a lot of guess work and other calculations off your workload. I wouldn't be without one.

bob

L.Adamson · #4 10-25-2009, 10:52 AM

One of the best instruments I ever installed. Didn't have one for the first six months. No more guesses or approximations. I know within just a few tenths of a gallon of how much is used, how much is left, how much is required to get to the destination, and being able to fine tune for fuel efficiency if desired.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

AlexPeterson · #5 10-25-2009, 12:29 PM

The advantages are many - lots of threads and postings about why. Here is one that is an example:

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=12968

Pete has really set the standard for running at peak performance (in this case best engine management for a carburetor) by knowing egt and fuel flows.

One can really learn a lot about the engine's operation through knowing fuel flow. And, of course, it is invaluable as a confirmation of fuel gauge readings. Many engine problems are easily diagnosed with a fuel flow gauge, but tough without. I'd recommend it.

Greg Arehart · #6 10-25-2009, 02:33 PM

Agreed. Well worth the minimal time and cost to install. Couldn't live without it now.

greg

Bubblehead · #7 10-25-2009, 06:17 PM

I added one in May and would not be without it now. It is very accurate and I know what I have for fuel and also endurance time continuously. It gives me accurate information to make decisions early in a long flight.

It is especially important because the fuel level gages are not accurate above or below certain fuel levels. Fuel flow is accurate regardless of the level of fuel in the tank.

Ironflight · #8 10-26-2009, 07:41 AM

I flew my old Yankee around for 23+ years with nothing but the worthless sight gauges, my knowledge of it's normal fuel burn rate, and a wrist watch. Travel, IFR, everything. Did it all the time. Now that i have fuel flow and all of the information that it provides in the RV, I wouldn't want to be without it. Like XM weather, moving maps, and GPS, Fuel flow increases your situational awareness to an extent far in excess of what it costs.

If all you're going to do is fly locally for an hour at a time, a clock is fine - if you're going to utilize your RV for travel, Fuel flow is a huge plus.

Paul

Rick6a · #9 10-26-2009, 08:38 AM

I refer to the fuel flow indication quite often in my fixed pitched equipped RV. I like it very much. Even on local flights with no particular place to go, I like being able to lean the mixture and instantly see what the fuel burn is being set at. I usually see a full rich mixture condition at something exceeding the 9 GPH. As I proceed to lean the mixture, in real time can observe the fuel flow reducing even as I unwind the mixture control knob. I usually set the engine to burn around 6.7-6.9 GPH while in the 2400 RPM ballpark range. The VM-1000 via its optional EC-100 constantly recalculates the remaining fuel and will display that information as FUEL FLOW and FUEL HOURS. In effect, this acts as a sort of electronic fuel gauge and I find that when refueling the plane, the VM-1000 engine monitor and the totally independent EI Capacitive Fuel system gauge do tend to agree with one another. However, for the fuel data calculations to be accurate in the VM-1000, it is vitally important to remember to manually reset the total number of gallons of fuel known to be on board because the engine monitor is a computer and as we all know, garbage in....garbage out.

A fuel flow indication in whatever form you choose to buy and use it is very useful auxillary information. I don't think you will be dissapointed in its utility and usefulness.

Mel · #10 10-26-2009, 09:57 AM

When I finished my -6 in early '93, virtually no one had fuel flow gauges in experimentals. Only a few in "spam cans".
My friend Gene Plazak had developed one for his Yankee. I installed one in my -6 primarily to be different. Soon after I had flown with it, I vowed that I would never have an airplane without one. And looky, looky, now everybody has one.