Frank A. Franta

Male

Peoria, AZ

United States

Profile Information:

Aircraft Model
STOL CH 801
Project Status
Less than half
Building From
Kit
Building Experience
Have worked on airplanes before
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Retired Engineer. Pilot since 15 years old. Always loved to fly into and out of pickle patches. My 801 is my dream...but is showing some signs that "stubborn" might be part of its character.

Comment Wall:

  • Bill Marvel

    Cheers Frank.

    Since this is a high wing, gravity flow fuel system, there is no need for the engine to suck fuel or air or anything else. Fuel flows via gravity from whatever fuel line is open -- front or rear -- to the engine. The problem with the Zenith kit is that this second flow path -- from the front of the tank -- does not exist. If you are in a long, steep descent with minimum fuel, that fuel will flow to the front of the tank and never get to the engine because there is no fuel outlet from the front of the tank.

    Low wing airplanes have to pull fuel from the tanks; high wing airplanes do not. The key design item for high wing planes is to make absolutely sure that in all normal flight attitudes, fuel can flow from the wing tanks to the engine. In the Zenith 801, it cannot. This is just a word to the wise...

    Bill Marvel

    Aug 18, 2010