Lynn,
 > How would you handle oil pickup in the oil tank? Must I put a flop tube
 > in there or could I get away with a pickup about halfway
 > up the tank, figuring the tank is not supposed to go empty
 > like a fuel tank and should be in oil all the time. Oh no, what about
 > knife edge flight? Thanks for your insight.
 >
 > Ben

 I would copy whatever Shaun Tucker uses, as he gets more hang time and
knife edge than anyone. A number of schemes could be used.

       I am unfamiliar with all of them.

 During flight training I lost an engine on take off in a Super Cub. This was
a month after an extended inverted spin without an inverted system. While
plain bearings are tolerant of low oil pressure,  it is only for short periods
and not at high loads.

       An over filled scavenge tank with a weighted valve at each end to
control oil pick up would take care of the oil delivery. An oil separator in the
line between the pump and the main bearings could remove most of the air
trapped in the oil.

        I would rig the whole up on a rotating and pitching platform with an
electric motor driving the pumps and all clear plastic tubing so you can see
the slugs of air running around. Plastic plumbing pieces could be used to keep
it cheap.

       The weighted pick up might be enough. The breather would have to be
valved to keep most of the oil on board.

Lynn E. Hanover

 
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