Aircraft fuel system maintenance is crucial for its long-lasting service life and proper operation. A well-maintained aircraft fuel system ensures a clean supply of fuel to the aircrafts’ engine and prevents it from contamination. If not properly maintained and inspected, the system can also become a safety hazard.
Inspecting the fuel system commonly involves examining the system for potential design flaws and functional tests to ensure everything is running smoothly. Since a lot of complexities are involved in the system inspection and maintenance, it should be carried out by a trained professional.
A person handling the fuel system must be properly trained and should have some extent of experience. It is suggested to take maintenance and inspection guidance from a professional and well-known aviation welding technician.
Also Read: Different Types Of Aircraft Fuel Contamination
It is also equally important that the manufacturer’s instructions for the aircraft be followed when performing inspection or maintenance operations. This blog will help you through the essential precautions and tips that you must know for aircraft fuel system inspection and maintenance.
Look Out For System Wear And Tear
It is important to check the entire system for potential wear and tear damages that aircraft fuel systems get with the passage of time. Make sure that all the units and parts are functional and attached properly. Check the valves and drain plugs of the system. Make sure to look out for gathered contamination.
Similarly, the filter and sump should also be checked for sediment, water, or dirt particles. If booster pumps are installed, the system should also be checked for leaks by operating the pumps to make sure they are functional.
Check For Fuel System Contaminants
Over time, your fuel system can become contaminated with sediments, oil, and dirt particles. For maintenance, it is required that you do a proper inspection of the fuel system to clean the entire system and get rid of contamination.
Keeping a fuel system clean begins with awareness of the types of pollutants: Water, solid particles, dirt, and metal particles are also common. However, other factors can also contribute to the contamination.
Inspect The Fuel Tank
An aircraft fuel tank should be inspected for corrosion and possible leaks. Check the fittings and connections for leaks or failures. Some fuel tank manufacturers use strong materials which ensure the longevity of the tank.
Perform thorough inspection to look out for contamination, leaks, tank damages, and piping deteriorations.
Check Lines And Fittings
Make sure that the lines are correctly connected and are well-supported. Look out for screws, nuts, and clamps that are loose. To tighten clamps, use a hose-clamp torque wrench. If the clamps do not tighten properly, replace the clamps, the hose, or both.
The external surface of the hose may develop cracks, usually short in length, which primarily result from surface aging. Loosened hoses, little cracks, and valve damages often become the causes of system breakdown. If not given proper maintenance service, your fuel system may fail long before its service life ends.
Check Sector Valves And Pumps
Inspect the sector valves for free operation, excessive backlash, and accurate pointer indication. If the backlash is redundant, check the whole mechanism for joints, loose pins, and broken drive lugs. Repair or replace the defective parts and inspect the cable control systems for worn or frayed cables.
Do a proper inspection of the booster pumps and look out for proper operation, leaks & condition of fuel, electrical connections, and motor brushes. Make sure that the drain lines are running free of bends or restrictions. Also, check the vent and drain lines.
To Sum Up
The aforementioned are a few maintenance and inspection recommendations you should keep in mind. Aircraft maintenance and inspection is a complex task that needs proper knowledge. Hence, you can’t rely on your own basic knowledge for such an expensive piece of equipment. Hire a professional aircraft mechanic to perform the maintenance and inspections.
About Acorn Welding
Acorn Welding is a trusted and highly qualified aviation welding company in Edmonton. We have the latest product designs and manufacturing capabilities required for safe aircraft welding. Removing contaminants or fuel system maintenance is a job you only want to have to do once. Want to have a trusted welder and manufacturer of aircraft components on board? Contact us now.
