Primers? Why?

mshac · #1 10-05-20, 07:59 PM

Later model 337's have a simplified fuel system. There are no "AUX" tanks, only a single main in each wing. No reason to ever have to touch the fuel selectors unless you're wanting to cross-feed for some reason. Nothing at all "complicated" about it.

rhurt · #2 10-26-20, 07:37 PM

So you can hand prop the plane with a dead battery. A friend of mine has hand propped them several times but there was always enough battery power to run a fuel pump.

mshac · #3 10-26-20, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhurt

So you can hand prop the plane with a dead battery. A friend of mine has hand propped them several times but there was always enough battery power to run a fuel pump.

True enough, but I've never been a fan of hand-propping anything much larger than a Cub...

rhurt · #4 10-26-20, 08:33 PM

Agree. I would rather remove the primers from my airplane

JimC · #5 10-27-20, 01:25 PM

"If you were to use the manual primers because the electric fuel pump was inop. you would be ILLEGALLY flying"

Devil's advocate - why is this illegal?

I'm not saying it's a good idea, but I don't think it's illegal. 337s don't have MELs.

mshac · #6 10-27-20, 01:37 PM

Jim is probably right - I don't recall "fuel pump" as being on the list of required items for either VFR or IFR flight. I'd compare it to flying NORDO VFR - completely legal in non-controlled airspace, but not recommended. And for the non-airline types, an MEL is a Minimum Equipment List - Everything on the list has to work in order to dispatch the airplane. Things like coffee pots and reading lights are not on the list, but I would imagine fuel pumps would be.

JAG · #7 10-27-20, 04:33 PM

Such a great topic - but maybe not everyone will take interest.

I am not an expert on FAR 23 Certification Standards, but there must be some intent of Cessna for the auxiliary pump to be required equipment; they have put them on separate breakers and stipulate their use in the operating manual to provide fuel flow (HI) in the case of engine driven pump failure, or even vapor elimination in flight.

I can't make a comment if you would be legal or illegal - I don't have enough knowledge on the certification side of things. But my experience would tell me that this is likely required equipment for flight - as the intended use of the auxiliary pump is clearly required in the operating handbook for emergency procedures. For me personally, I would not take off without an aux pump working. I view the use of the pump as a mitigation for a number of fuel related problems - and I prefer to operate the aircraft the way Cessna had designed it.

Regarding MELs (an area I do have expertise in), there actually is a Master MEL published by the FAA for the 336/337. Not required for us to use in private operation, but it is an interesting to read what is, and what is not on it.

Jeff