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RobHickman(at)aol.com
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 Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:46 pm Post subject: AFS fuel flow system display changes Why we did it |
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I thought I better jump in here with an explanation on why we updated it.
Most RV's only have two tanks so it is not an issue, the problem is when you have 4 tanks. We actually developed the software for the Glasair Sportsman. The Sportsman has two 15 gallon main tanks and two 10 gallon tip tanks, all 4 tanks have fuel sendors and we display all 4 tanks on the screen. The fuel computer has two buttons FILL MAINS and FILL ALL. If you press the FILL MAINS button it sets the gallons remaining to 30 gallons and gallons used to 20. If you press the FILL ALL button is sets the remaining to 50 and used to 0. If you only fill the mains technically you have used 20 gallons from what the aircraft is able to hold. If you keep the display in gallons remaining it will always show the correct amount.
The following scenario is why we did it. Lets set the fuel computer gallons used to zero when you have only filled the mains. You go out and fly for 2 hours and burn 20 gallons of fuel, the gallons used shows 20. You or another person jumps in the plane in a week and sees that the gallons used is 20, you know that the plane holds 50 gallons so doing the math you have 30 gallons? No problem I am only going on a 2 hour trip..... about 10 gallons into the trip the engine stops.
Rob Hickman
Advanced Flight Systems Inc
In a message dated 1/31/2011 5:02:31 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, recapen(at)earthlink.net writes:
[quote]--> RV-List message posted by: "Ralph E. Capen" <recapen(at)earthlink.net>
Thanks Greg - I didn't think I was being out of line to question this - as
soon as I saw it I didn't like it. Your description matches how I have been
using mine for the last two years.....
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recapen(at)earthlink.net
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| Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:53 pm Post subject: AFS fuel flow system display changes Why we did it |
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While I understand the reasoning behind the change, I don't necessarily agree with their validity.
The changes do protect the pilot that doesn't do an adequate pre-flight from himself.
The changes do protect the pilot/builder that didn't read the manual that came with the system from himself.
Even the newest manual still states: "The fuel amount calculated from the starting fuel level you programmed in the system, minus the fuel used while the engine was running." I would still like to have the option of programming the starting fuel level.
Meanwhile, I will continue to use the gallons remaining mode and manually calculate the burn each time to ensure my K-factor calibration is accurate. I have also asked for the software configuration changes that need to be made in order to remove the tiptanks and carry two configurations - so that I can load the other one depending on my mission requirements....haven't gotten a response on that one yet.
I still think this is the best equipment available for this function. Hopefully, I have maintained a respectful disagreement.
Ralph Capen
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RobHickman(at)aol.com
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| Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:39 pm Post subject: AFS fuel flow system display changes Why we did it |
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In a message dated 2/3/2011 1:53:59 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, recapen(at)earthlink.net writes:
| Quote: | The changes do protect the pilot that doesn't do an adequate pre-flight from himself.
The changes do protect the pilot/builder that didn't read the manual that came with the system from himself |
We did consult a very experienced aviation attorney and actually did it to protect ourselves.
| Quote: | | I have also asked for the software configuration changes that need to be made in order to remove the tiptanks and carry two configurations |
All you have to do is go into calibration and set the size of tank 3 and 4 to 0 and it will work, you can then use the knob to add more fuel when you use the tip tanks or set tanks 3 & 4 back when you use them.
Rob Hickman
Advanced Flight Systems Inc.
[quote][b]
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recapen(at)earthlink.net
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| Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 4:56 pm Post subject: AFS fuel flow system display changes Why we did it |
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Thanks for your response.....that makes sense.
I'll try setting the size to zero this weekend.
Please continue with these systems - they are great to fly behind!
[quote] ---
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bicyclop(at)pacbell.net
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| Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:11 pm Post subject: AFS fuel flow system display changes Why we did it |
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Howdy,
I'm planning AFS for my next airplane. I'm sorry to hear that it behaves that way. I don't intend to have more than the standard two tanks, at least not at first, but I agree with Greg that it's bizarre logic. I'm opposed to programming equipment to satisfy lawyers instead of pilots. To say that the change was made to avoid confusion ignores the fact that a lot of confusion was just created. When you're tired and maybe a little hypoxic you don't need the further intellectual strain of trying to figure out why you have two different figures for how much gas you've got left.
I've got an EI and I think that the way they do it makes more sense. When you power up, it shows fuel remaining and flashes a light to remind you to change it if you just fueled up. You can shift it to show fuel used - on this flight - it shows zero until you burn some. Fuel used resets to 0 for each flight. Fuel remaining is always what you told it was in the tanks minus what went through the flow sender until you tell it that you put more in. When I fill up, I subtract what it shows remaining from 38 and see how that jibes with what I pump. The proverbial sanity check. It also shows time to empty at current fuel flow. That's the most critical and useful function, in my book.
Pax,
Ed Holyoke
On 2/3/2011 12:12 PM, RobHickman(at)aol.com (RobHickman(at)aol.com) wrote: [quote] I thought I better jump in here with an explanation on why we updated it.
Most RV's only have two tanks so it is not an issue, the problem is when you have 4 tanks. We actually developed the software for the Glasair Sportsman. The Sportsman has two 15 gallon main tanks and two 10 gallon tip tanks, all 4 tanks have fuel sendors and we display all 4 tanks on the screen. The fuel computer has two buttons FILL MAINS and FILL ALL. If you press the FILL MAINS button it sets the gallons remaining to 30 gallons and gallons used to 20. If you press the FILL ALL button is sets the remaining to 50 and used to 0. If you only fill the mains technically you have used 20 gallons from what the aircraft is able to hold. If you keep the display in gallons remaining it will always show the correct amount.
The following scenario is why we did it. Lets set the fuel computer gallons used to zero when you have only filled the mains. You go out and fly for 2 hours and burn 20 gallons of fuel, the gallons used shows 20. You or another person jumps in the plane in a week and sees that the gallons used is 20, you know that the plane holds 50 gallons so doing the math you have 30 gallons? No problem I am only going on a 2 hour trip..... about 10 gallons into the trip the engine stops.
Rob Hickman
Advanced Flight Systems Inc
In a message dated 1/31/2011 5:02:31 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, recapen(at)earthlink.net (recapen(at)earthlink.net) writes:
[quote]--> RV-List message posted by: "Ralph E. Capen" <recapen(at)earthlink.net> (recapen(at)earthlink.net)
Thanks Greg - I didn't think I was being out of line to question this - as
soon as I saw it I didn't like it. Your description matches how I have been
using mine for the last two years.....
---
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http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV-List |
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