This morning I finished out chapter 41 (wing attach) by installing the fuel vent lines. I opted for Aircraft Specialty vent lines, just to save some time and effort, and I also installed the JD Air fuel vents.
The standard Vans fuel vent design has a fuel line passing from the tank down through the wing fairing, where it’s chamfered at 45 degrees. I’m sure this works great, but there are a couple of downsides. The line has no screen, so there’s a risk of insects or dirt making its way into the fuel line, or even the tank, and causing an obstruction. There’s also a chance I’ll snag the vent on something and damage it. JD Air makes a streamlined vent with a built in screen, so I installed these instead. Aircraft Specialty makes a fuel line that fits the JD Air vent, so that was very convenient.
The vent itself attaches to the bottom wing root fairing using a bulk-head fluid fitting, so it simply screws into position. I was then able to loosely install the fairing, position the fuel line, final torque the fairing screws, then torque the b-nuts on the fuel line to secure it in place.
Everything went well, the only bummer is the gap at the aft end of the fuel vent, caused by the curvature of the fairing. It’s no big deal, it’s just cosmetic, and no one will see it unless they look for it specifically.
I also installed fuel placards and some grip tape on the pilot side of the wing walk area.
