Fuel tanks leaks and aircraft.

[TWinter]

As we all check our Mooney tanks and see the slight weep of fuel. I was able to visit with my brother when he flew his Navy issued F18 into Millington, TN. I got a chance to see his F-18 up close and personal while parked out on the field.

 

All I can say is as far as tanks leaking. Wow..it looked like a fuel truck dumped several gallons of fuel on the ground under each wing and the belly of the aircraft.

 

To him it was a "non-issue"..that's just what happens and general ops for the jets. Apparently it's not uncommon for the jets to leak badly on the ground after refuel. The five gal buckets under the wings really raised an eyebrow for me.

 

I don't know about you guys, but I really did not realize the amount of pressure these birds achieve while at cruise speed and the higher altitude etc..He said after they get at altitude everything tightens and it seals up..pretty amazing to see this multi-million/billion dollar jet leak like a old turd in need of a tank reseal. LOL

 

Totally non-Mooney related, but quite impressive.

[rbridges]

I've heard stories of the SR71 leaking oil when sitting on the ground but running smooth at altitude.  I guess that's typical for those types of planes.

[NotarPilot]

The SR-71's skin would heat up due to friction with the air at high speeds and therefore the metal would expand and the plane would stop leaking.  I have yet to have that happen on my J but maybe on an Acclaim? 

[triple8s]

Not to mention the difference in volitility of jet fuel vs 100LL

[Piloto]

Fuel leaks on jet plane is not uncommon. But unlike AVGAS blue stain Jet fuel leaves no visible stain that can be mistaken with water condensation. If you though Mooneys leak go on the ramp at an airline MRO. You may need an umbrella.

 

José

[Super Dave]

The SR-71's skin would heat up due to friction with the air at high speeds and therefore the metal would expand and the plane would stop leaking.  I have yet to have that happen on my J but maybe on an Acclaim? 

I don't know about frictional heating, but our F had some blue stains over the coldest days of winter that have stopped since the spring thaw. Anyone else see this?

[Piloto]

I don't know about frictional heating, but our F had some blue stains over the coldest days of winter that have stopped since the spring thaw. Anyone else see this?

Internal fuel leaks in the winter will show on the outside before any evaporation occurs. In the summer fuel evaporates before running into an exit point on the skin. Keep it warm.

 

José 

[M016576]

As we all check our Mooney tanks and see the slight weep of fuel. I was able to visit with my brother when he flew his Navy issued F18 into Millington, TN. I got a chance to see his F-18 up close and personal while parked out on the field.

All I can say is as far as tanks leaking. Wow..it looked like a fuel truck dumped several gallons of fuel on the ground under each wing and the belly of the aircraft.

To him it was a "non-issue"..that's just what happens and general ops for the jets. Apparently it's not uncommon for the jets to leak badly on the ground after refuel. The five gal buckets under the wings really raised an eyebrow for me.

I don't know about you guys, but I really did not realize the amount of pressure these birds achieve while at cruise speed and the higher altitude etc..He said after they get at altitude everything tightens and it seals up..pretty amazing to see this multi-million/billion dollar jet leak like a old turd in need of a tank reseal. LOL

Totally non-Mooney related, but quite impressive.

The F18 (and F-15) actuall port quite a bit of fuel overboard at shutdown from scavenge lines. Sometimes you see fuel on the wings/fuselage seeping a bit after refueling as well. That's typically leaks from that scavenge system when it's over pressurized, again, NBD.

It's not coming from the tanks, per se, and all this is totally normal. (the tanks themselves have a battle damage type self sealing lining).

Source of experience: flying FA-18A/B/C/D/E/F's for 10 years and F-15's for 1.5 years.

[aviatoreb]

Source of experience: flying FA-18A/B/C/D/E/F's for 10 years and F-15's for 1.5 years.

 

As if that qualifies you to know something about the F18 and F15....  :-O

 

:-)

[Rich]

Unfortunately, fuel tank leaks don't get better with age in our Mooneys. If the leak is a seep- such as from a screw, it can generally be repaired quite easily. If there are entire plates that are leaking, the others are likely to begin soon. It's funny that a fuel tank leak from a 70's vintage car is unusual but from an aircraft costing multiples more, it's just the way it is. I have a 2004 Ovation 2 that had three "repairs" (including a full strip and reseal from the factory). None worked until a complete repair from Paul at Weep No More. Bummer, but if you need this service, he does a great job.