Belite fuel level.

[david.2.wilcox]

Regarding instrumentation required on experimental aircraft, see your operating limitations. Undoubtably there is a paragraph that invokes the 91.205 requirement. It is #7 in my operating limitations.

If fuel pressure is being used to determine quantity, and the vent system is ram air, then the tank has approximately the same pressure as the ASI. At standard conditions, 100 kts = .4814 in of mecury. Which is equal to 6.56 inches of water or 9.4 inches of fuel. That's better than half a tank.

[Sonerai13]

Regarding instrumentation required on experimental aircraft, see your operating limitations. Undoubtably there is a paragraph that invokes the 91.205 requirement. It is #7 in my operating limitations.

That is correct. The operating limitations will contain the following, or something very similar:

"Unless appropriately equipped for night and/or instrument flight in accordance with 14 CFR 91.205, this aircraft is to be operated under day VFR only."

Note that the operating limitation only invokes 91.205 if you are operating at night or under IFR. For day VFR operations the aircraft is not required by regulation or by operating limitation to meet 91.205. There is literally no required minimum equipment for day VFR. Obviously it is prudent to equip the aircraft appropriately, but you are not required by regulation or limitation to do so.

[vwglenn]

Here's my $30 system using a backup camera I got off ebay,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnXE_hS ... &index=144

Jeff

I looked at the complete kits with the screen. I also considered a webcam (couldn't find one compatible with my iphone or ipad). And I tried a wifi POV camera for a drone (messed up the voltage drop and fried it). Went with the wifi reverse camera for cost and weight savings (already have my phone and ipad for the screen).

Here's a shot on a cloudy day. You can easily see the fuel level between 9 and 10 gallons. It shoots as if you're looking in a mirror. I'm going to add the numbers to the other side in reverse so it's easier to read. My plane is a tail dragger this reading is not accurate on the ground. The other side of my tank is marked for tail down accurate measurements. When you back light the tank like Jeff does, the fuel level really pops out at you.

[fastj22]

OK, putting on my Debbie Downer beret, but couldn't one just put a small door or window in a 2.25 hole in their panel and shine a flash light under the panel to accomplish the same thing? I use a dip stick during pre-flight to measure and a fuel totalizer to track my fuel usage and would only peep when I got below 4 gallons. Which is why I removed the plans based site tube which was rather useless below 5 gallons.

[david.2.wilcox]

6. This aircraft to be operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), day/night only.

7. This is how my operating limitations read: "Aircraft instruments and equipment installed and used per part 91, 91.205 and 91.207 must be inspected and maintained...

I doubt that there is a DAR that is going to let an aircraft fly without fuel level gages.

[radfordc]

I doubt that there is a DAR that is going to let an aircraft fly without fuel level gages.

Sonerai13 (Joe Norris) is one of the most well known and respected DARs around. What say you Joe? Would you follow the FAR and sign off on a plane that doesn't have a fuel gauge? Or would you impose your own personal "rule" not supported by the FAR?

[fastj22]

Well Charlie, not all our DARs can be as good as Joe. Mine clearly wanted all the VFR instruments and made me show him they all worked. I mistakenly kept thinking TOMATO FLAMES when laying out my instruments. And I doubt you'd win a contest trying to out FAR a DAR.

[kmacht]

If your DAR is requiring something not in the regs ask him to show you where it is required. If he can't and still insists it is time to find another DAR. With that said flying without any sort of fuel indicator is foolish. My DAR only required what was in the regs but had his own list of what he likes to see. If you didn't have what he wanted on the list he would still pass you but at least have a conservation with you as to why you didn't think something was necessary and why he thought it was.

Keith
#554

[fastj22]

If you think DARs might be inconsistent, I've heard horror stories of having a rouge FSDO FAA employee making up stuff.

[radfordc]

Not having a fuel gauge is just asking for trouble...and not because of any FAR. What if your DAR says you must have a gascolator? Do you still have to "lose the contest"? Is there an FAR that requires a gascolator? And many Sonex's are flying without one.