Hello to all, Im very proud to join your group!

[scottygofast]

Ed, Cole and Roger~

Thanks for your responses. Ive been trying to figure out what to do, and I did actually look at the JPI 960. and it looks like it would be an ideal way to go, but I didnt think it was ready for a 337, so thanks for pushing that through for us Cole! Ill probalby hang out and wait till you install yours, and deal with simply calculating the fuel for the moment, as a majority of my trips are within 600 or so miles. Sucks to fly heavy when you dont have to, but at least its not a 172. I may go with a shadin fuel flow computer for the time being just to have some better flow information. If I did have an issue with a leak, I suppose that I could always plan to leave the aux tanks full so I always know I have extra fuel.

On another note, have any of you put together your own checklist that youve compiled from various sources, or are you just using a checklist that was in the plane when you purchased it? mine is a number of pieces of a book glued to a piece of cardboard, so just trying to save myself a bit of work, if its been done properly by someone who is willing to share~ thanks again guys, and Ill give an update soon~

Scotty

[edasmus]

As for checklists Scotty, what I did is create my own making sure I included all items in the factory check list and then adding other items that are unique to my airplane, (GPS flight plans, electronic headsets, collision avoidance, auto-pilot, etc.). I organized it in a logical flow pattern, typed it into a word document, printed, laminated, and bound it all together. I would suggest sitting in your airplane and hand write a checklist touching everything on the panel and combo it with the factory check list in a logical order. It takes a little time but it is well worth it in my opinion. When it was all done I have a nicely laminated booklet with everything I need with normal, abnormal, emergency, and performance info.

Take care,

Ed

[Ernie Martin]

Scotty, noticing that you joined recently and that you're worried about fuel management and a checklist, let me suggest you visit my "backup" web site at www.SkymasterUS.com.

There is a whole section on fuel management for Skymasters like yours with separate auxiliary fuel tanks, where it reminds you that the fuel in auxiliary tanks should be used in the middle (not the end) of a flight and is not normally available if a main tank runs dry; a round-about way of getting it is presented, but it involves a complex procedure requiring that you first cross-feed.

And I have a one-page checklist similar to the one described by Ed; it's available to you through the web site.

Ernie

[skymstr02]

There is an FAA advisory circular, AC 23-27, that allows us to use substituet materials to maintain our airplanes, certified prior to Jan 1, 1980, as long as it maintains fit, form and function of the original unit. What this means is that if you can find a FAA Form 337, Major Repair and Alteration form, that was field approved from the FAA, that is approval to do the same thing on your airplane, using that 337 as your approval data.

I just finished an IA renewal program where the head guy from FAA Headquarters was there and explained it.

Dave
N302A

[N5ZX]

skymstr02,
That is exceptionally valuable information!!!
I wish I had that in August....when we spent 5 WEEKS waiting for the local FSDO to approve mounting HID taxi and landing lights in my nose. We tried citing an identical mounting in a P210 but our delightful fifedom said that they were no longer allowed to boot-strap approval based on a prior field approval...everything had to be specific to THAT airplane.
What a big steamy pile of (crud).
I guarantee I will be citing that AD verrrry frequently. Thank you!!!!!

Scotty,
Im very eager for the EDM-960. I think it will be well worth the wait.
However, be careful "waiting". The promise of three months in terms of avionics launch dates usually translates to 18 months in our world. And I think the fuel LEVEL gauge is on the Minimum Equipment List for the aircraft certificate. If Im right, you gotta replace the gauge with some other fuel level indicator before you can legally fly again. I dont know if the shadin computer will meet the need.
Im not an a&p and I dont wanna come accross as a S---House lawyer.....I precursered all that with I think" and "If I'm right...."
My tips tanks feed directly into the fuel distribution tree for each engine with overflow going back into the main tanks. I use them as emergency fuel only. If my engine stumbles, or if I get the low fuel indication on the digital fual level gauges, the first thing I do is flip the switch for my tip tanks.....that gives me guaranteed fuel to the engine, buying me at least an hour....but I immediate find a suitable "nearest" to fuel up again. The only other time they are less than full is when I'm taxiing after landing. I hit the tip tanks to feed fuel into the engines/mains just to keep things fresh. I think I mentioned I have a fuel paranoia. CNN spent a week talking about the last time I ran out of fuel....I dont plan to make it a habbit (I used up all my good karma credits on that one).

Cole

[N5ZX]

skymstr02,
That is exceptionally valuable information!!!
I wish I had that in August....when we spent 5 WEEKS waiting for the local FSDO to approve mounting HID taxi and landing lights in my nose. We tried citing an identical mounting in a P210 but our delightful fifedom said that they were no longer allowed to boot-strap approval based on a prior field approval...everything had to be specific to THAT airplane.
What a big steamy pile of (crud).
I guarantee I will be citing that AD verrrry frequently. Thank you!!!!!

Scotty,
Im very eager for the EDM-960. I think it will be well worth the wait.
However, be careful "waiting". The promise of three months in terms of avionics launch dates usually translates to 18 months in our world. And I think the fuel LEVEL gauge is on the Minimum Equipment List for the aircraft certificate. If Im right, you gotta replace the gauge with some other fuel level indicator before you can legally fly again. I dont know if the shadin computer will meet the need.
Im not an a&p and I dont wanna come accross as a S---House lawyer.....I precursered all that with I think" and "If I'm right...."
My tips tanks feed directly into the fuel distribution tree for each engine with overflow going back into the main tanks. I use them as emergency fuel only. If my engine stumbles, or if I get the low fuel indication on the digital fual level gauges, the first thing I do is flip the switch for my tip tanks.....that gives me guaranteed fuel to the engine, buying me at least an hour....but I immediate find a suitable "nearest" to fuel up again. The only other time they are less than full is when I'm taxiing after landing. I hit the tip tanks to feed fuel into the engines/mains just to keep things fresh. I think I mentioned I have a fuel paranoia. CNN spent a week talking about the last time I ran out of fuel....I dont plan to make it a habbit (I used up all my good karma credits on that one).

Cole