Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 28: Fuel System (part 2)

Reference: page 28-03, -04, -05; 2.5 hours

This is the second work session of the fuel line in the RV-12 aircraft's fuselage. Everything went pretty well, but I am glad I had extra fuel line to work with! Read on for an explanation.

Step 1: Straighten out two feet of 3/8" aluminum tubing. (Unrolling against a flat surface works well). Make the F-1295F Fuel Line Tank- Pump by starting at the pump end. Slip the nut then the sleeve called out in Figure 1 of the RV-12 plans on page 28-03 over the tubing.



Step 2: Flare the end of the tube. Slide the sleeve up tight against the flare. Make the first 90 degree bend. Bend the second 90 degree bend and then the 15 degree bend to match the templte in Figure of Van's Aircraft's plans. Make the final 90 degree bend going up to the tank by referencing Veiw A-A in Figure 1 and 2 on page 28-03 of the RV-12 aircraft plans.

Builder's note: I use a drop of light oil on the flaring tool . It helps make a nice smooth flare.




Step 3: Laying the tube over the figure 1, Veiw A-A mark the end of tube. Cut the tube off. Place the nut and sleeve over the end of the tube. Check that the other nut and sleeve have not fallen off the tube. Flare the tank end of the tube.



Step4: Install the Fuel Line Tank - Pump to the Fuel Pump as shown in Figure 2. A small amount of bending/adjustment using your hands is acceptable.



Reference page 28-04

NOTE: When installing the fuel lines it is acceptable to bend a large radius curve by hand to improve access, then re-straighten after you are finished.

Step 1: Make the F-1259E Fuel line Pump - Valve by unrolling and cutting off 40.5" of 3/8 inch aluminum tubing. Start at the pump end of the tube. Insert a nut and sleeve over the end of the tube and then flare the end of the tube.



Step 2: Make an S type bend in the Fuel Line Pump - Valve as shown in figure 3 of the RV-12 plans on page 28-04, between the pump and the F-1204D Center Section Aft Bulkhead.



Step 3: Insert the Fuel Line Pump-Valve through the snap bushings in the F-1204A Bulkhead. Temporarily attach the nut to the ES 40105 FUel Pump. Lay the tube into the right most recess in the System Blocks adding a slight curve to follow the curvature of the Bottom Skin. Add two slight bends to the fuel line where it passes through the F-1203A Bulkhead to align the front of the tube with the fitting on the fuel valve. Mark then cut the forward end of the tube as shown in figure 2 on page 28-04.

Builder's Note: I temporarily installed the flap lever to insure the clearance between it and the fuel line. Wearing holes in fuel lines is a bad thing!









Step 4: Detach the nut from the Fuel Pump, pull the Fuel Line back enough to slip a nut and sleeve over the end of the fuel line and flare the end of the tube.



Step 5: Connect the forward end of the Fuel Fine Pump-Valve to the rear fitting of the Fuel Valve. Reconnect the aft end to the Fuel Pump.









Reference 28-05br/>
Builder's note: The RV-12 kit comes with one of two different fuel flow meters. Mine was the FT-60 model.

Step1: Install the fluid fittings to the Fuel Flow Meter than install the assembly to the VA-188 FLO-SCAN Mount per the hardware callouts( use a small amount of pipe thread sealant.) The forward bolt used to install the FT-60 is only temporarily installed until later.



Step 2: Install the elbow fluid fitting, both plugs and the drain to the GAS-5 Gascolator per the callouts in the detail view in Figure 1 (use a small amount of pipe thread sealant.) safety wire the four screws holding the gascolator bowl to the top of the gascolator.





Step 3: Install the GAS-5 Gascolator to the Firewall Bottom using the hardware called out by Van's Aircraft. Install the straight nipple to pipe fluid fitting into the gascolator from the aft side of the firewall bottom using pipe thread sealant.



Step 4: Make the Fuel line Floscan-Fwall by unrolling 8.75" of 3/8" aluminum tubing. Start at the Gascolator end of the tube. Insert a nut and sleeve over the end of the tube and then flare the end of the tube. Make the two bends aft of the gascolator using the template given in Figure 2 on page 28-05 of the RV-12 aircraft Plans. Insert a nut and sleeve over the flo-scan end of the tube and then flare the end of the tube. Attach the completed fuel line to the gascolator and the FT-60 Fuel Flow Meter.





Step 5: Make the Fuel LineValve-Floscan by unrolling and cutting off 13 3/16" inches of 3/8" aluminum tubing. Start at the FUEL Valve end of the tube. Insert a nut and sleeve over the end of the tube and then flare the end of the tube. Add two bends to the fuel line between the FEUL VLAVE and the F-1202F Bulkhead using the template given in FIgure 3 of the RV-12 plans page 28-05. Insert the tube through the snap bushing in the bulkhead. Insert a nut and sleeve over the forward end of the tube and then flare the end of the tube. Attach the completed fuel line to the Fuel Flow Meter and the FUEL VALUVE.



What's wrong with the picture above? Look at the fluid nut. Yes, it's on back words! I made a new fuel line and problem solved!



This completes pages 28-03, -04, -5 of the RV-12 airplane plans. I went ahead and vacuum tested the fuel lines from the fuel tank through the gascolator with good results. Next time I will finish the fuel lines in the airframe.