Fuel sticks to measure PA-30 main/aux fuel tanks

[Timothy Urban]

The Seminole I train in has a long, thick wooden down that is used to measure fuel in the tanks when it is less than full. The tool is designed so that it is not easy for flight students to allow it to drop into the fuel tanks.

Does anybody in ICS have such a stick calibrated for Main and Aux tanks of a PA-30 Twin Comanche?

I am interested to understand where your markings came out.

Thx in advance

Tim

[Russell Adair Philip]

Mine was made from a piece of ~3/4" square hardwood by the previous owner. It is marked in 4.5L (1 Imperial Gallon) increments - 1 face for Main, 1 face for Aux, 1 face for tip. The cuts are not evenly spaced but they do compare fairly well with fuel readings off the bowser when refuelling. I suspect it was a very tedious job to make it up but it does result in accurate dipping. And mine is short enough that it would be quite easy to drop into a tank, particularly the tips. Must come up with a fix one day.

Regards
Russell VH-TXC PA30C based at YPJT.

[Matt Bogard]

I would recommend making your own. Fly a main empty some time and add a couple gallons of gas at a time while dipping and marking the dowl. It takes a while but will be very accurate - since our birds have rubber bladders which have irregular surfaces no two tanks are exactly the same. This method will best approximate the correct measurements in your Comanche.

[Eric Jessen]