M20R Max Fuel Imbalance

[Les_Parson]

What is the Max Fuel imbalance for the M20R Ovation? I could not locate any reference in the POH/ Limitations or anywhere else. 

 

Thanks / Les Parson

 

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard, Wes....

I haven't seen one given in any Mooney.

Let us know if you find one.

Best regards,

-a-

[NickG]

I’m bringing this old discussion to the forefront because I’d be interested to know if anyone has any information on whether there is actually a fuel imbalance limit? Could I fly with 20 gallons in one tank and 44 in another?

[N201MKTurbo]

I’m pretty sure you could fly just fine with one tank empty and one full. It would pull a little to the full side.

[A64Pilot]

Unless lateral CG limits are in the POH, they don’t exist.

Some Military aircraft with external loads may have lateral CG limits but those are the only ones I’m aware of, but there are a great many aircraft I know nothing about too.

I personally don’t switch tanks as often as I guess most do, I pretty much burn a half tank then switch, haven’t had any real problem doing that.

Edited April 28 by A64Pilot

[GeeBee]

I flew mine with 12/44.5. It is a bit of a pain but not beyond normal handling

[NickG]

Does anyone know what the fuel tank capacity on an ovation is if I fill it up tight to the top of the filler. I’ve heard 49 gallons but I cant find any reference. I know it’s 89 usable which is 44.5 g per side just wondering if thats to the rim or to the bottom of the filler sleeve. I have a nasty fuel leak on the left tank (as in not, drip, drip but worse) when above 22 Gallons. No leak at all 22G or less. It 100% has to get fixed. I have an appointment to get it patched but its going to be a little while for availability and I have some XC flights I will have to make before then

[Pinecone]

If you have a Garmin GFC-500 Autopilot, they add a fuel imbalance limitation of 10 gallons.

[NickG]

14 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

If you have a Garmin GFC-500 Autopilot, they add a fuel imbalance limitation of 10 gallons.

Ah! That’s where I remember seeing it!

[Fritz1]

total usable fuel in a long body topped to the fuel cap O-rings is somewhere between 101 and 102 gal, no risk of fuel spill, vents are still way above that level, I typically take off on the right tank, run for 1h, then run left tank down to close to zero, land with all remaining fuel in right tank, never felt any imbalance, even with left tank empty and right tank full you have left aileron up in cruise, POH is silent regarding fuel imbalance, you do not want your minimum fuel divided between two tanks, my personal minimum landing fuel is 17 gal, which is about 1h in the Bravo

[NickG]

1 hour ago, Fritz1 said:

total usable fuel in a long body topped to the fuel cap O-rings is somewhere between 101 and 102 gal, no risk of fuel spill, vents are still way above that level, I typically take off on the right tank, run for 1h, then run left tank down to close to zero, land with all remaining fuel in right tank, never felt any imbalance, even with left tank empty and right tank full you have left aileron up in cruise, POH is silent regarding fuel imbalance, you do not want your minimum fuel divided between two tanks, my personal minimum landing fuel is 17 gal, which is about 1h in the Bravo

Do you have a GFC500?

[Fritz1]

No, KFC225, and it is right aileron up with left tank empty in cruise, bird still wants to go left from the prop torque in spite of left tank being empty

[Geoff]

Fly it imbalanced by hand well trimmed then let go.  If wing dips on the full side, consider that as potential personal limit for your bird.  The state of your rigging will impact this as well.