Autogas in General Aviation Aircraft.
Abstract
A series of aircraft engine tests were conducted on a dynamometer which compared the vapor lock tendency of selected automobile gasolines against aviation gasoline. The effects of fuel temperature, the technique for heating the fuel used in vapor lock studies, the engine cooling air temperature, the fill level in the tanks, and fuel system configuration were investigated. The tendency for automobile gasoline to detonate in an aircraft engine was investigated, and the results show a strong correlation with the Motor Octane Number. Flight data is presented which shows the effect of the mode of operation on fuel system temperatures in two typical general aviation aircraft. Select results from a fuel aging study demonstrate the effects of long-term storage of automobile gasoline in typical general aviation aircraft wing tanks. Based on these results, a number of considerations pertaining to certification of general aviation aircraft fuel systems with automobile gasoline are identified. Keywords: Aviation gasoline, Vapor lock, Automobile gasoline, Dynamometer tests, Reid vapor pressure, Aircraft certification test, Detonation, Octane number.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA182514
Entities
People
- Augusto M. Ferrara
- H. S. Byrnes
- William C. Cavage
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration