Danny King noted in this thread that replacing his flop tube every 5 years was a pain. It was a passing, matter of fact comment and were it necessary, I would tend to agree. My problem was that it was the first time I had heard this. Being just about ready to close up my left tank with a flop tube installed, I found myself stopping to re-think.
Danny?s comment made me go and do some additional research into flop tubes. Whilst Van's doesn't appear to state anywhere explicitly that flop tube's require periodic replacement, i.m.o. there is more than sufficient evidence to suggest that it would prudent to do so. The Extra 300 manual (chapter 28) details the flop tube replacement process and on many of the aerobatic and bi-plane forums, it appears to be general knowledge that the flop tube requires regular inspection and maintenance. It would seem that the flop tube hardens over time.
My plan was to install the flop tube left, standard pickup right - the flop was for "just incase" - if you understand my meaning. I'm about to close up the left tank and have now changed my plans. My left tank has all the mods required for the flop tube (in fact, the flop tube was actually fitted) but it now has a standard pickup installed. I figure that should I ever really need inverted capabilities in future (unlikely), then the level of effort required to replace the standard pick up with a flop tube will be only slightly more than that required for one of the ?periodic replacements? (considering that my tank was built for it in the first place).
I?m really not keen on having to rip off the fuel tank, open it up, replace the flop tube and re-seal every so often?
What has prompted this post though is the fact that Rick6a, in the same thread, is also unsure with regards the maintenance requirements for flop tubes. I didn?t want to hi-jack the thread but was hoping to get a little more info re the maintenance of flop tubes. Do you replace yours, don?t you, how long have you had them installed, can you still feed all your fuel from the respective tank, etc?
Info appreciated ? I?m about ready to close up my tank and it is now such that I could quite easily go either way!
Danny?s comment made me go and do some additional research into flop tubes. Whilst Van's doesn't appear to state anywhere explicitly that flop tube's require periodic replacement, i.m.o. there is more than sufficient evidence to suggest that it would prudent to do so. The Extra 300 manual (chapter 28) details the flop tube replacement process and on many of the aerobatic and bi-plane forums, it appears to be general knowledge that the flop tube requires regular inspection and maintenance. It would seem that the flop tube hardens over time.
My plan was to install the flop tube left, standard pickup right - the flop was for "just incase" - if you understand my meaning. I'm about to close up the left tank and have now changed my plans. My left tank has all the mods required for the flop tube (in fact, the flop tube was actually fitted) but it now has a standard pickup installed. I figure that should I ever really need inverted capabilities in future (unlikely), then the level of effort required to replace the standard pick up with a flop tube will be only slightly more than that required for one of the ?periodic replacements? (considering that my tank was built for it in the first place).
I?m really not keen on having to rip off the fuel tank, open it up, replace the flop tube and re-seal every so often?
What has prompted this post though is the fact that Rick6a, in the same thread, is also unsure with regards the maintenance requirements for flop tubes. I didn?t want to hi-jack the thread but was hoping to get a little more info re the maintenance of flop tubes. Do you replace yours, don?t you, how long have you had them installed, can you still feed all your fuel from the respective tank, etc?
Info appreciated ? I?m about ready to close up my tank and it is now such that I could quite easily go either way!