Fuel Tanks

[JW Scud]

Any fuel tank tips from the Colonel,

"Aircraft designers typically implement one of three methods to store fuel: aluminum tanks, wet wings, or flexible bladders. Aluminum tanks are simple and extremely reliable, but they are usually restricted to simple shapes that don’t maximize fuel space. Wet wing designs are the most efficient at storing the most fuel with the smallest amount of structural weight, but as many Grumman and Mooney owners can attest to, these designs are prone to leaks and can be painstakingly difficult to repair. Flexible bladders (or fuel cells by their proper name) are an excellent compromise of weight, fuel volume, and maintenance support."

[Colonel]

Used them all. Wet wing carries the most fuel, but it's a real piss-off
when they leak when they are new. Horrible job to remove and replace
the sealant when it gets old and brittle.

Bladder is ok, but you lose fuel when you use them. They can wrinkle
and trap water in the bottom. They need to be replaced on a calendar
basis, too.

Aluminum tanks generally last the longest, but like bladders, you won't
get the same capacity as wet wing. Main problem with them is the neck
cracking from people letting the nozzle hang off it. Other than that, they
are pretty trouble-free and last many, many decades with zero maintenance.

All trade-offs.

[JW Scud]

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