Add Extra Fuel Capacity?

[jackc]

Would be really keen to add fuel range to the Thruster.   Found this photo somewhere in the Internet wastelands.

What do people think of this modification?

 

 

[Thruster88]

The jury struts on a Thruster are not designed for load hauling. I only have a 52l tank and have flown plenty of long trips. Keep it simple.

[jackc]

I do have a 68 litre tank as it is, maybe I will add a 20l Turtlepac for added range, strap it in the Pax seat?

 

[kasper]

Those chinook fuel tanks are rather expensive for what you get - 19l of fuel and the tank is over A$500 plus shipping and GST from the USA.

 

if I have that sort of cash for a fuel tank I’d go for a seat tank -two items for the price of 1 😛

[jackc]

42 minutes ago, kasper said:

Those chinook fuel tanks are rather expensive for what you get - 19l of fuel and the tank is over A$500 plus shipping and GST from the USA.

 

if I have that sort of cash for a fuel tank I’d go for a seat tank -two items for the price of 1 😛

And then there will be the MARAP thing with RAAus and as Thruster said, the mounting may be a problem and possibly not be allowed due to weight. The other choice is a 20l Turtlepac?  Seats would be nice but again the dreaded MARAP process?

 

[tillmanr]

I have written previously about the huge effect of a small piece of angle section attached to the bottom of the doors of a thruster. It basically destroyed the air flow over the elevators. Be very careful of attaching anything to the side of the thruster.

[Methusala]

On 22/11/2021 at 7:24 PM, tillmanr said:

I have written previously about the huge effect of a small piece of angle section attached to the bottom of the doors of a thruster. It basically destroyed the air flow over the elevators. Be very careful of attaching anything to the side of the thruster.

Thrusters have never had doors.

[tillmanr]

Ok, lift up flap enclosers. Maybe I was exaggerating on the sophistication of the devices. I had a number of hours in a Thruster 20 years ago.

 

Edited November 24, 2021 by tillmanr
Added information

[kasper]

2 hours ago, Methusala said:

Thrusters have never had doors.

Ummm.  Yes some do.  
T500’s most had doors - front hinge

T300’s could have them - front hinge
TST/Geminis are not supposed to have them (or the rear cabin bulkhead)

At least two single seaters had had enclosures including doors added - front and top/bottom hinge.  

[skippydiesel]

On 21/11/2021 at 7:59 PM, jackc said:

I do have a 68 litre tank as it is, maybe I will add a 20l Turtlepac for added range, strap it in the Pax seat?

 

Turtle - Pac are pretty pricy . The 20 L is a collapsible "jerry can" - go the 40 L and you get the full in flight transfer capability.

[jackc]

19 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

Turtle - Pac are pretty pricy . The 20 L is a collapsible "jerry can" - go the 40 L and you get the full in flight transfer capability.

Shame there was not a 30L one, I think 40L maybe too big but whatever I get can also work for my Aeropup, too.

 

[Methusala]

On 24/11/2021 at 3:17 PM, kasper said:

T500’s most had doors

My understanding is that no Thrusters came from the factory with doors fitted. All were manufactured so retro-fitting doors would be problematical. Of course many owners took an alternative view.

[skippydiesel]

On 24/11/2021 at 6:09 PM, jackc said:

Shame there was not a 30L one, I think 40L maybe too big but whatever I get can also work for my Aeropup, too.

 

The way I see it a small passenger say 50 kg  - so replacing passenger with a 40 L fuel bladder plus transfer pump, is going to be well within your aircrafts capability - expect to pay about $2k from Laszlo at Turtle-Pac.

 

His larger bladders have a umbilical like filler hose but not the 40L - might make filling in aircraft a problem/conversely filling befor loading a strain on the old body

Edited November 25, 2021 by skippydiesel