Bob,
I recall you saying something similar to this awhile ago
on the site, that was the reason for the question. But I am past
the point of being able to only go 2-bays. But like you
said....maybe I can put something in there to fill up space. I
guess what I need to do is put some type of big inspection cover
on the top of the tank so I can do such a thing.
The reason for my question may have been a little
misleading...the fuel burn is not the main reason for going the
Rotax route...I am planning on not renewing my medical next year
when it becomes due and going the Sport Pilot route. I really
don't want to but as everyone knows...things happen in life that
we have no control over.
Also, I think I responded to Walter and he said don't use
the cuffs....my reason for using them besides the performance
benefit is my wife was helping me moved the leading adge and I
tried telling her how to handle the sheet and of course being
the wife...she thought she had a better idea and both pieses
buckled in the middle leaving huge creases. I was pissed!!!
Since I had planned on using the cuff anyways I figured it'll
cover them up. :(
Keith
Bob Patterson <
beep@sympatico.ca> wrote:
Hi Dave !
Actually, there are several very good reasons why it's much better
to have only 2 bays/side on the Rebel .... especially considering
that a stock 3 bay setup is already almost 50 % more fuel than
a C-172 ! Two bays/side will still give you approx. 28 - 32
gallons -
considering the Rotax will only burn 5 gal./hr if you beat it,
that's still almost 6 hours endurance !!
If you want to fly light, with a couple of hours fuel -
say 10 gallons - imagine how deep that will be, spread out
over 6 bays total ..... not a lot of head pressure there !
Now, if you do a steep turn, with a bit of slip or skid,
you might uncover a fuel outlet ...... gee, it's quiet !! :-(
If you park it with that 10 gallons aboard, you have a
LOT of air in there, and a lot of surface - there'll be more
evaporation, and more condensation - could end up with
a lot of water in those almost-empty tanks ....
..... water doesn't burn well ! :-(
If you DO fill up those regular tanks, you will be dragging
along 300 lb..... = another passenger, and some luggage !!!
(or more than a set of floats ! )
If you ever DO have a really long trip, you can always
put one or two 5 gallon cans in the back, and, if you really
can't stop, you can hook them into the fuel system,
and the Rotax will happily suck fuel from them for a
few more hours ! We've done that on some very long trips !
Soooooo....... if you have a choice, and are going for
a Rotax 912, you are far better off to just build for 2 bays/side.
A bonus is that you will save a few pounds, and some work, in
the smaller tank skins & fewer rivets.
That said, I've been doing a lot of thinking about ways
to reduce the capacity of existing large tanks - like
inserting a rubber bladder, or ping-pong balls, to fill
space .... I'm sure we can come up with something easy !
And Keith - don't worry toooo much - she'll fly just fine,
even the way you have built her -- should weigh between
725 - 825 lb, tops. Jim & Tom both had a great Ramble
this summer, through the Rockies, with Rotax 912's,
and came home with some big smiles !!! :-) :-)
(especially when they saw the gas bills - less than HALF
the cost of running the O-320 !!)
You will still have the option of going to an O-320, or
a new diesel, if one should come along later .... that's
the beauty of the Rebel - you're not stuck with just ONE engine !
--
......bobp
http://www.prosumers.ca
http://bpatterson.qhealthbeauty.com
http://apatterson2.qhealthzone.com
http://apatterson2.ordermygift.com
-------------------------------orig.-------------------------
On Wednesday 17 October 2007 19:21, David Jackson wrote:
The only time you have too much fuel is when you are on fire.
There is
nothing to stop you from only carrying the fuel you require
for the flight
you have planned. Having the larger tanks available will give
you more
options if you travel somewhere solo, you can fill the tanks
and have an
extra degree of safety to find an alternate or use the fuel to
fly longer
legs on a trip.
Dave J> Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:32:11 -0700> From:
im_planecrazy@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [rebel-builders] Rebel
empty weight
Unfortunately I have
already done the 3-bays fuel tank. Is it that much of a con to
using the 44
gallon wings. I understand that there would be WAY more fuel
than a guy
needs but other than that is there much problem?> How do you
like the
performance with the Rotax?> If you want to mail my home email
that is ok
im_planecrazy at yahoo dot com.> > Keith> > Jim Cole
wrote:> Hi Keith, my Rebel came in at 821 empty weight with
the 912ULS
installed.> I used the Fife wing tips but do not have the
cuffs. I also
have the 44 gal> tanks and if I was doing it over again I
wouldn't go three
bays I would use> only two.> > Cheers> Jim > Rebel 333> > On
10/17/2007> 12:58 PM, "Mike Davis" wrote:> > > Have you
considered an IO-240?> > > >
Mike> > > > ----- Original Message -----> > From: "Keith Leit
ch" > > To:
"Murphy Rebel Builde
r
s" > > Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:46 AM> > Subject:
[rebel-builders] Rebel empty weight with Rotax> > > > > >>
Well guys, I'm
still about 50 years from completeing my Rebel and with> >>
fuel prices
going through the roof I have been relooking at installing
the> >> Rotax in
my Rebel "when" I get to that point. The problem I feel is a
may> >> be a
little on the heavy side to use this engine. I have been
spraying> >> every
piece, prior to assembly, with 2-part epoxy primer as I plan
on> >> putting
it on floats. I also built the wings with the 44 gallon tanks,
and> >> have
plans to install Angus's cuffed leading edge. I wasn't as
worried> >> about
the weight as I originally was installing an O-320. BUt now I
am> >>
wondering if I will end up with a very heavy Rebel to be
powered by the> >>
Rotax.> >> > >> What is the average completed empty weight of
a Rebel with
the Rotax?> >> > >> Also, I have another question for the
airplane gurus on
here. I have a> >> 7AC Champ with an 0-235 in it and am
thinking o
f
putting an Aeromatic prop> >> on it. Has anyone used one of
these props?
Also, has anyone ever thought> >> about useing one on a Rebel?
Just asking
because I may still have to build> >> with the O 320.> >> > >>
Thank you,>
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