Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I am working on a few projects while I try and get my alternator problem solved; one that I would really like is a dip stick with liter (or gallon) markings.

I fly a Scout with long range tanks and the standard fuel gauges are a horrible, I use a dip stick for that plane. I would like the same for the Thorp.

Just wondering if anyone has built one and would like to share the length and markings? I assume that if the fuselage tank is built to plans then the dip stick would be accurate on any built the same.

There a few in the newsletters.

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In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.

Hi Dick,

Thanks and I'll look.... any newsletter # or page come to mind?

Tim, it's going to vary depending on where your fill cap is. Just go buy a length Of 1/2 -3/4 dowel, drain your tank and start adding and marking your stick.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Tim, I needed a fuel stick also, Tom Hunter had one and he sent or gave me the numbers for the darn thing and you know it is alot more accurate than a guage!! I use it all the time and it really works well. Let me know and I will send you the numbers. As lee said, check it, as we all know there are differences in our Birds I just thought it funny that it was so darn accurate on mine!! Dan

I made one for my tank and marked it five gallons at a time until full but I would like the info on Hunters.

Please!

alcocklakeATgmail.com

Dan,
There seems to be some interest, why don't you post the numbers to the forum. I'd like to see how my stick compares to what you have.

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

I made mine by cutting down a telescopic Mop Handle. Calibrated from empty tank with 10 litre marks. The bottom goes to the base of the tank outlet sump and the thick line at the top to the cap rim, so I have a consistant position for each Dip.
I have velcro loops on the back deck for stowage.I figure duel purposecould be used for Canopy Breaker, which I don't intend to try out[;)]
With the JPI 450 I'm within 2-3 litres on a 100lt refuel, but I still Dip

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John Groth VH IXI

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Guys, isn't the whole purpose of a fuel stick to give the user a warm fuzzy about exactly how much fuel they have in their tank? The only way I'm going to feel that way is if I made the stick myself. It makes no difference if you copy someone else's or make it yourself, your still buying a stck and marking it. Why not just make it custom to your airplane, that's the only way to be certain it's correct. Even if you copy someone else's your still going to want to verify it, and in doing so you've gone through the entire exercise of making one.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Tim

A wood stick works and is easy to make. The fuel level shows well on the wood
Stick but can be smelly when you bring it back to the cockpit. The wood absorbs the fuel and takes a while to evaporate .

Just maybe when you make yours you could find a material that shows the fuel level in bright sunlight but not have a smelly fuel stick in the cockpit:
After all you smell fuel in cockpit you want to know where it is coming from??

Tell us what you come up with.

Paul Gagnon

Lots of great ideas! I appreciate the thoughts and yes I plan on confirming numbers the next time the tank gets to bone dry and \i have time to add fuel 5 or 10 liters at a time and mark the stick. I thought that a plans built tank would be pretty standard in terms of where 10,20,30 liters etc etc were.... I acknowledge that the full mark might be different depending where the fill opening was made but that would only impact the last few liters not the first 120 or so.
I currently use a 1/2 round wooden dowel to dip the tanks on the Scouts (8GCBC) I tow gliders with (summer job in Gimli Manitoba). The dowels get used two or three ties a day and really don't have any odor at all, the dipsticks are probably 5 years old. I think its because they are hard wood and only dip the tank, they don't stay in long enough to absorb any (or much).
I like the storage idea from down under...might try that.

FWIW - T-18s rest at different angles per the long/short gear, main wheel tire pressure and different tail wheel setups, so each one's interim dipstick readings will be unique. My dipstick (for the plane) is 3/8s fiberglass rod.

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

Precisely! In other words .. just take the 30 mins out of your day and make your own dipstick! [;)]

You'll spend just as much time copying one!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

BTW, thanks Fraser for the clarification.

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In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.