Posted by Collin on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 04:48 PM:
Hello,
I am replacing some RF4 fuel hoses. What hose is recommended?
Posted by flyingkroeger on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 07:53 PM:
Hi Collin,
I had to replace a leaking fuel hose earlier last year and the Gliding Federation technical counsellor strongly suggested using a fireproof sleeve around the new fuel hose. I’ll take a picture tonight if I remember…
BR
Tim
Posted by Collin on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 08:47 PM:
Hello,
I planed on using a fire sleeve. I have one on my RF4. Also the latest Sport Aviation Magazine has a article on fire sleeves.
Posted by Collin on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 @ 11:23 PM:
.
Posted by Jorgen on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 @ 11:42 AM:
Hi Guys,
one of the big issues when i EASA certified the RF 5b (BG= Before Groundloop) was documentation of the fire retardant fuel hose. As I understand they should be stamped with a date and changed every 5 years. In Europe the correct hose can be ordered from E.I.S. aircraft parts.
Some people advocate teflon fuelhoses to better cope with more or less ethanol-containing fuel, others don´t think it´s necessary.
May the 4´s be with you/ Jörgen
Posted by Collin on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 @ 01:23 PM:
Hi,
The hoses I am replacing are dated 5/65
Posted by Jorgen on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 @ 01:28 PM:
Hi Collin,
good for you! That means they´re good until may 2065..... 
?
May(!) the 4´s be with you/ Jörgen
Posted by flyingkroeger on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 @ 07:39 PM:
Hi Collin,
Sorry, forgot to take a picture, but my fire sleeve looks just like yours, only that I have clamps holding it in place. Looks like we're all on the same page. I suspect that my old one was the original one from 1968...
BR
Tim
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 @ 07:53 PM:
Yup,
We're using the original 1960s hoses too.
We've had them pressure tested and fire-sleeved and re-fitted them.
If they've worked fine without deterioration for forty years, then they've probably got another good forty years in them.
This is like that stupid seat-belt thing that's just come out in Europe (it happened in Australia a decade back, too).
Some bureacrat says 'limit these things to a five year life -- to be safe' when it's just not necessary.
I will be very surprised if the new hoses you fit now last for forty years.
Things just ain't made to last these days because manufacturers want to continue selling replacements.
Yours, Bob
Posted by Collin on Thursday, January 28, 2010 @ 00:27 AM:
The hoses are still soft. Only 175hrs and no fuel in them for 30 years maybe there still fine.
Posted by eugenio on Thursday, January 28, 2010 @ 02:35 PM:
It's only in Germany that hoses last 5 Year like is only in Germany that the safety belts must be overhauled each 12 years. On the Fourniers Manuals the hoses have a time limit of 10 years and the same is for the Robin DR400 that uses the same Superflexit hoses.
On my approved programmes I have belts on condition and hoses 10 years or on condition if made of Teflon.
My workshop has approved procedures to assemble fuel and oil hoses, and we can produce hoses exactly like those produced by Limbach with integral fire sleeve. I can also release an approved Form 1 valid in the whole Europe since we all are now certified under EASA Part M.
I use standard automotive fuel hose suitable for any kind of fuel, Avgas, Mogas, Diesel etc. they work fine and are cheaper than special hoses.
About Teflon hoses, I can assemble them, and sometime I did, but I prefere the rubber hoses, at the end to change a hose each 10 years is not the end of the world nor you have to file for a loan.
Eugenio
Posted by Donald on Friday, February 28, 2014 @ 03:03 AM:
The fuel hose for my RF3 and, probably, the RF4 is SUPERFLEXIT Type 300 DN8 Aero. I can buy this in the UK from a single supplier but it's eye-wateringly expensive. Google fails to turn up any alternative sources of supply or even a manufacturer. Does anyone have any leads on this?
Aside from a cheaper source I'd like to find some technical documentation to support Eugenio's stated 10 year life.
Donald
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Friday, February 28, 2014 @ 04:13 AM:
Hi Donald,
For my red Fournier's auxiliary fuel system I have used marine flexible synthetic rubber fuel hose, approved for all fuels.
With an EASA Permit to Fly administered by the Light Aircraft Association you don't need reams of paperwork and expensive approvals; components only have to be 'fit for purpose', and acceptable to your inspector.
BGA-administered Cs of A are clearly different.
Yours, Bob
--------------------
Flying and displaying Fournier RF4Ds VH-HDO and G-AWGN, building replica RF6B G-RFGB and custodian of RF6B prototype F-BPXV
Posted by Donald on Friday, February 28, 2014 @ 01:01 PM:
