Available locally and better ideas
TShort said:
Has anyone seen these?
Check
flymore.com.au under flush fuel drains.
I'm sure this wouldn't reduce drag THAT much, but I kind of like the idea of not having so much hanging out below the wing.
T.
I have these but they are standard drain parts and can be bought by any of the good airplane supply folks. "Flymore" tends to want way to much for stuff. I don't have the part number but its the standard 1/8 npt type. They retail for $18 each. If you have the ones in the kit you can sell them or may be able to trade them, they cost the same. My guess is they are SA18's:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/safairflush.php
Just be aware there is MORE of the drain valve sticking up inside the tank with this style, so you have to watch your fuel pickup or if you have a flop tube.
Also keep in mind the aluminum flange on the bottom of the tank sticks out a little good bit. The drain valve sits on top of the tank's threaded flange, so there is still height, so its not really flush. I am using a "semi-flush" valve and a little fairing as well.
You can buy pre made fairings now for the original taller drain valve; you could just pro-seal them on.
http://www.aircraftextras.com/FuelDrainFairings.htm
One other small difference is the "semi flush" or "cessna" drain, is that it needs a sump cup with the pin to insert into it. No big deal, but with the button or bayonet type you can use almost anything to drain fuel. I still like the semi-flush. I have heard rumor or urban legend that the flush type is easier to block? I don't know about that. If you have to remove it and clean it fine, but one dude at the flight club got the drain stuck on!!!!! It was a mess. No fire but lots of fuel on the ramp. It was like the little boy with his finger in a hole in the leaking dam. Not good. I don't recall what type of drain valve it was.
I assume they both "SUMP" the same, that is the fuel drains at the same level. It looks lower with stock valve? Its probably even or good enough. I just found the the fuel pick up crowded the new style semi-flush valve a little. Van's I think are CAV-110's, you can see it does not proturde into the tank and may drain lower in the tank:
Another brand that might work? MDI's F391-18:
