As Ed Anderson demonstrated, Bill is absolutely correct.  You may

recall

that Ed simultaneously ignited his fuel tank and 5 gallon fuel can

while

refueling his plane (static electricity).  Adding  to the fun, he

dumped

burning fuel on the top of the wing and ground below it while

stepping

away

from the conflagration.  Ed kept his cool, set the burrning fuel can

down a

few steps away and dropped the fuel cap into the filler hole

extinguishing

the flame from the tank.  Of  course in Hollywood, there would have

been

a

huge explosion.  The real world is obviously far different than the

movies.

Bill,  I'm finally working on the FEA request stuff for the adapter

plate.

Sorry for the delay, its been a madhouse here lately.

Tracy Crook
tcrook@rotaryaviation.com
www.rotaryaviation.com

Boy! Tracy, does that bring back memories!  Yes, even with the excitement of
flames everywhere (at least it seemed like it - with flames at five
different locations), I remember consciously recalling the "Theory" that
snuffing off the oxygen source should "theoretically" put the fuel tank fire
out. I recall also concern about the temper of the aluminum if the flames on
the wing burnt too long - amazing what mundane things your mind can drag up
even in moments of near panic.

 For some reason the flame coming out of my fuel tank seem to hold my
attention more than the others {:>).   I also recall thinking as I hastely
picked up the fuel tank cap that "..this had better work!".  I too had
Hollywood visions of huge fireball and scattered pieces of plane, hangar and
me hurling through the air.  Fortunately, stuffing the fuel cap into the
flaming tank hold worked just like the "theory" ( for once {:>}) and then I
had time to stuff/stomp out the other flames.

Paper fuel filters used in large plastic fuel funnels really burn a
looonnnggg time.  I don't refuel from plastic containers anymore - even if
they are approved for fuel.

Ed Anderson
Matthews

What can I say? I am speechless. Hope to see you in Florida on the 27th Ed.
You will be there won't you?

Paul Lamar
 
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