Fuel Capacity for a Transatlantic Trip

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One day we want to fly our Sling TSI from the US to Europe (and back).  This will require careful planning, good weather, survival gear, extra fuel, and nerves of steel.

Flying to Europe is possible following a northerly route via Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Scotland (route).

The longest leg of this route is 676 nautical miles between Goose Bay (CYYR) and Narsarsuaq (BGBW). Routes with shorter legs are also possible, but those require more refueling stops (example).

It seems reasonable to plan for a 700nm range with an additional 200nm to divert. After doing the math using the Sling's POH numbers, we worked out that we need 18g of extra fuel to get to a 900nm range (btw this will leave only about 100lbs for luggage). 

Note that our plane does not have the extended range fuel tanks installed. We decided against this, because it adds weight and complexity, and we can always add a fuel bladder on the back seat for those few times that we need it.

TurtlePac makes fuel bladders in several sizes. The 25g luggage drum seems like good choice. We don't need to fill it all the way, and it will give us some headroom in case we need it.


To connect the fuel bladder to the fuel system we are adding a T-split in the return line of one of the wing tanks to refill that tank from the fuel bladder during flight. Here is a rough diagram:

An open question is whether we need a fuel pump to transfer the fuel. Perhaps we can rely on gravity to drain the fuel from the bladder on the rear seat into the wing tank. We will keep you posted on that.













Comments

  1. Juan CaballeroAugust 29, 2021 at 11:08 PM

    If you monitor weather and are not under time pressure it’s ok. The trip is enjoyable albeit long. We are going for extended range but would like details of your mod. Andair should be able to supply the tubes etc. They wil not assist with design for liability reasons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gustavo FaermanAugust 30, 2021 at 8:55 AM

      Thanks Juan! Where are you building your TSI?

      Delete
    2. Juan CaballeroSeptember 2, 2021 at 2:28 PM

      Can’t remember why I came up with that silly name. I’m John and my wife and I just did the inventory on empennage and wings here in Worcestershire, UK

      Delete
    3. Gustavo FaermanOctober 4, 2021 at 4:38 PM

      :D

      Delete

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