Register
Aircraft

Digital Fuel Quantity: More Than a Display

That's what you'll likely find when your aircraft is in for an engine display upgrade and your avionics shop suggests-as they should-to overhaul or repair the fuel quantity senders. Aside from having to drain the fuel tanks, this creates extra work for the installer because chances are they'll have to send the sensors off for overhaul. We've found that for some shops, dealing with old OEM sensors is uncharted territory. The task has to begin with good documentation, and that includes having the aircraft maintenance manual.

Larry Anglisano
Verified

Edited By:

Omar Filipovic

If you’re considering upgrading to an all-in-one engine display that also replaces the OEM fuel quantity gauges, there’s the potential for disappointment. Sure, a digital fuel indicator solves the nuisance sticky/bouncing needle that plagues older systems but it might not make the system any more accurate. That’s because the new display is only half the interface. The critical part of the system-the fuel quantity sensors-live deep in the fuel tank.

20 CIES digital senders

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.