Ernesto Sanchez wrote:

Putting a fuel selector valve on the firewall is how John Denver >got

killed in a Long EZ-not a good idea.

Chuck Harbert

I know some of the involved parties.  The investigator related the valve
could have been on the wing tip on that plane.................... What
killed Denver was:

1.  Not looking in his tanks before taking off (estimated approximately 6
gallons total at take off).

2. Playing with the fuel valve instead of flying when the engine quit.
(It' believed his right hand went over his left shoulder as he turned and
stretched his body to the right to reach the valve.  This caused his right
foot to go forward pushing the right rudder pedal inducing the plane to roll
causing him to lose control of his plane low and fast)

Our fuel systems are very critical but flying the plane is more so.  How
about a pump in each tank and a common return to both tanks??  No valves.
Ernesto

This is not a bad idea if carefully designed. If the return T is in
the right place (down and low between the tanks) the fuel will automatically 
return to the lowest tank. The one with the least pressure head. Vents must
be done right. Best to get the ACRE NL CD as all of this whole fuel
system issue was discussed at length for several months. A fuel cooler in 
the return line is also not a bad idea.
 
Paul Lamar
 
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