T-6B Fuel System

Created: 30 Aug 2015

Updated: 16 Mar 2016
T6BDriver.com
 Objectives
• Identify main sections and components of the fuel system
• Understand normal operation of the fuel system
• Identify and understand fuel quantity and balancing system

(Utilize fuel system schematic while reviewing this slideshow)

 References
• T-6B NATOPS Manual
• Section 1
• Fuel Supply System

• Section 5
• Figure 5-1 Instrument Markings
• Fuel Limitations
• Fuel Type
• Fuel Icing Inhibitor
• Fuel Quantity Limitations
• Fuel Imbalance
• Fuel Pump Suction Feed Limitations
 To
Engine

EICAS
FF
FF Transmitter (lbs/hr)

Via cable
FMU PCL
Via PMU

Engine Driven

Engine Driven
Lo-Press Pump
Hi-Press Pump
EICAS
Fuel System Overview
Fuel Qty

Purge
Firewall
Line • 3 Fuel Tanks (1 in each wing & collector tank)
Motive FUEL BAL
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow
Line
Fuel Filter
Fuel
Probes
EDM FP FAIL • Refueled via single-point or over-wing
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press M FUEL BAL
Switch
•
<10 psi

FUEL PX
Turns on
Boost Pump
Fuel transferred and moved by jet pumps utilizing
Outer FP
motive flow lines
Vent Line

Transfer • Fuel pressure increased through use of electric boost

Valve

Manifold Valve
pump/engine driven low pressure pump/engine driven
Middle FP
high pressure pump
Electric Boost Pump
•
Transfer
Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530# Fuel tanks are balance through an automatic system
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
Inner FP LL Probe & Flip Flop Valve

•
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank Fuel indicating and auto-balancing system handled by
Collector Tank
L FUEL LO <110 lbs BOOST PUMP R FUEL LO <110 lbs the Engine Data Manager (EDM) computer
Probes Auto Balance
-7 fuel quantity probes (3/1/3) -Controlled by EDM
-445 +/- 50# (outer probe) -Keeps wing tanks within 20#
-308 +/- 50# (middle probe) -20# imbalance/30 sec (shuts off transfer pump)
-Until approx. 20# (inner probe) -If not <30# in 2 min – FUEL BAL
-Collector divides capacity equally between lt/rt -M FUEL BAL selected by switch (auto balance not active)
-FP FAIL if a probe fails and shuts off auto-balance -Enables Manual Fuel Balance Switch
-2 Low level sensors (1 per wing tank) -Max allowable imbalance of 50#
-Optical sensors - separate from fuel quantity probes
- L/R FUEL LO on CAS indicates <100 lbs in tank
 • 3 fuel tanks located in wing (left wing tank/collector tank/right wing tank)
Fuel Tanks • Wing tanks only feed to collector tank (not from one wing to other wing)
• Collector tank feeds to engine
• Fuel outboard in wing will gravity feed to inboard part of wing for pickup
• Wing tanks have vents & cross vent line to prevent spillage & vacuum in tank

• Fuel Load
• Single-point refueling: 1100# total – 530# in each wing/40# in collector
• Over-wing refueling: 1200# total – 580# in each wing/40# in collector

• Fuel Type
• JP-4/JP-5/JP-8/Jet A/Jet A-1/Jet B (“F” type fuels listed in NATOPS are NATO equivalents)
• Fuel must contain a fuel system icing inhibitor/fungicide

• Refueling Methods
Vent Line • Over-Wing
• Gives 100# more gas
• Fills individual tanks by gravity feed through filler cap on each wing (wings gravity into collector)
• Ensure cap is seated with arrow forward and tab folding to back
• Single-point
• Primary method of refueling
• Fills all tanks simultaneously
• Pre-check valves test shutoff system in tank – lifting simulates full tank and fuel refilling stops
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
Over-wing Refueling Single-point Refueling
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank

Single-point
Fuel Cap Refueling Connection
LH/RH Pre-check
Valves
Fuel Transfer
• Motive Flow Line
• Taps fuel flow line right after engine driven low-pressure fuel pump
From
Engine Driven
• Fuel flow/pressure used to drive fuel pick-up & transfer system via primary jet pump & jet transfer pumps
Lo-Press Pump
• Low Pressure Switch
• Senses when less than 10 psi in motive flow line
Motive • Activates FUEL PX CAS warning
Flow
Line
• Activates electric boost pump and illuminates a BOOST PUMP CAS advisory to increase pressure in line

Low Press
• Transfer Valves
Switch <10 psi • One valve for each wing tank
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump • Shuts off motive flow when closed thus stopping fuel transfer
• Controlled by auto-balance system or MANUAL FUEL BAL switch on Right Forward Switch Panel
Vent Line

Transfer
• Jet Transfer Pumps
Valve • 2 per each wing tank
• Uses Venturi effect (by motive flow lines) to suck fuel from tank and transfer to collector tank
• Fuel should still gravity feed if motive flow stopped

Transfer
Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
Jet Pump
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank
Fuel Feed to Engine
(Primary Jet Pump)

From
Engine Driven
Lo-Press Pump

• Uses same concept as jet transfer pumps

Motive
Flow
To
Engine
Line • Powered from motive flow line
Low Press
Switch <10 psi
• Fuel pickup valve to jet pump has weighted rod that allows fuel pickup from bottom or
FUEL PX
Turns on
Boost Pump top of collector tank (flip-flop valve)
Vent Line
• Flip-flop valve provides a minimum of 15 seconds of fuel regardless of orientation
Transfer
Valve
• Manifold Valve
Manifold Valve • Directs fuel from primary jet pump or electric boost pump to main fuel line

Transfer
Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
& Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank
Fuel Feed to Engine
(Electric Boost Pump)
• Serves as backup to the engine-driven low pressure fuel pump
From
Engine Driven • Engine can run if boost pump fails/inoperative
Lo-Press Pump

• Merges fuel (with primary jet pump) at manifold valve in collector tank
Motive
To
Flow • A BOOST PUMP CAS advisory illuminates any time the electric boost pump is activated
Line
Engine

Low Press
• BOOST PUMP Switch on Right Forward Switch Panel (both cockpits)
Switch <10 psi • ARM - Boost pump activated by:
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump • Starter (regardless of fuel pressure)
• Low-pressure switch
Vent Line • PMU (when pull PCL to idle)
• ON – Boost pump hard selected on
Transfer
Valve

Manifold Valve

Transfer Electric Boost Pump

Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
& Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank

Boost Pump
Switch
Fuel Feed to Engine
(Refueling Access Bay)

From
To
Engine Driven
Lo-Press Pump
• Maintenance Shutoff Valve
Engine
• Isolates the fuel system for engine or fuel filter maintenance

Firewall
Motive
• Fuel Filter
Firewall Shutoff valve Flow • Filters fuel prior to going to engine driven pumps and engine
Line
Fuel Filter
• Bypass indicator “pops” out to indicate filter is being bypassed
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press
Switch <10 psi
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump

Vent Line

Transfer
Mx Shutoff Valve
Valve

Manifold Valve

Transfer Electric Boost Pump

Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
Fuel Filter Bypass
& Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted) Indicator
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank

Fuel Filter
Fuel Feed to Engine • Firewall Shutoff Valve
• Controlled by Firewall Shutoff Handle (front cockpit only)
(Refueling Access Bay) • Handle lifts vertically and has clip to hold down in place
• Used during emergency to cut off fuel from going fwd of firewall
From
• Valve in left side, single point refueling bay
Engine Driven
To
Lo-Press Pump
Engine

Firewall
Motive
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow Firewall Shutoff Valve
Line
Fuel Filter
(not in pic)
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press
Switch <10 psi
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump

Vent Line

Transfer
Valve

Manifold Valve

Transfer Electric Boost Pump Firewall Shutoff

Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530# Handle Cable
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
& Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Firewall Shutoff Valve
Collector Tank

Firewall Shutoff
Handle
Fuel Feed to Engine
(Engine-Driven Low Pressure Pump)
• Increases fuel pressure in line to feed engine-driven high pressure pump

To • Engine can continue to operate without low pressure pump

Engine Driven
Engine
Lo-Press Pump
• Shares a common shaft in accessory compartment with external oil scavenge pump
Firewall
Motive
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow
Line • Motive flow line pulls fuel immediately after pump (can indicate problems with low
Fuel Filter pressure pump)
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press
Switch <10 psi
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump

Vent Line

Transfer
Valve

Manifold Valve
Engine Driven Low
Pressure Fuel Pump
Transfer Electric Boost Pump
Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
& Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank

External Oil
Scavenge Pump
Fuel Feed to Engine To
Engine
(Engine-Driven High Pressure Pump)

Engine Driven
Hi-Press Pump
Engine Driven
Lo-Press Pump
Purge
Line
Firewall
Motive
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow

Fuel Filter
Line
• Increases fuel pressure in line to feed Fuel Management Unit (FMU)
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press
Switch <10 psi • Engine will not operate without high pressure pump
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump

Vent Line
• Purge line returns unused fuel to collector tank

Transfer
Valve
• Operation using only the high pressure pump (without both the electric boos pump and
low pressure pump) is limited to 10 hours
Manifold Valve

Transfer Electric Boost Pump

Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
& Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank
 To
Engine
• FMU
Fuel Feed to Engine FF Transmitter
EICAS
FF
• Receives inputs from PCL via cable or via PMU
(Fuel Management Unit) (lbs/hr)
• Schedules fuel into engine fuel manifold

•
Via cable
FMU
Via PMU
PCL Fuel Flow Transmitter
Engine Driven • Senses fuel flow in line to engine
Engine Driven
Hi-Press Pump • Sends indications to EICAS display Fuel Flow Display
Lo-Press Pump • Reading in pounds per hour (PPH)
Purge
Line
Firewall
Motive
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow
Line Firewall Generator PCL Cable
Fuel Filter

Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press

Switch <10 psi
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump

Vent Line

Transfer
Valve

Manifold Valve
Oil Tank

Transfer Electric Boost Pump

Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
& Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank

Fuel Management
Unit (FMU)
 To
Engine
• Fuel Manifold
Fuel Feed to Engine FF Transmitter
EICAS
FF
• Receives fuel and distributes to all the fuel nozzles
(To Engine) (lbs/hr)

• Fuel Nozzles
Via cable
FMU
Via PMU
PCL • Deliver fuel into combustion section
Engine Driven • Two spray patterns from nozzles: start fuel (mist) / sustainment (stream)
Hi-Press Pump
Engine Driven
Lo-Press Pump
Purge
Line
Firewall
Motive
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow
Line PCL Cable
Fuel Filter
Left Side Right Side
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press
Switch <10 psi
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump

Vent Line

Fuel
Transfer
Valve
Nozzles
Manifold Valve

Electric Boost Pump

Fuel
Transfer
Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
Manifold
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
& Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank
 To
Engine
Fuel Quantity EICAS

Indicating System FF Transmitter

FF
(lbs/hr)

Via cable
FMU PCL
Via PMU

Engine Driven
Hi-Press Pump
Engine Driven
EICAS
Lo-Press Pump Fuel Qty

Purge
Line
• Fuel quantity and balancing systems handled through Engine Data Manager (EDM)
Firewall
Motive FUEL BAL computer which sends info to EICAS
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow
Line Fuel
EDM FP FAIL
Fuel Filter Probes
• Fuel quantity measured by 7 Fuel Probes (FP)
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press M FUEL BAL • 3 probes in each tank (Outer/Middle/Inner)
Switch <10 psi
Turns on • 1 probe in collector
FUEL PX Boost Pump

•
Outer FP
Vent Line Operation
• Collector tank divides capacity equally between left/right fuel tank readings
Transfer • Each probe senses fuel for given range as fuel quantity decreases
Valve
• Outer probe reads fuel until approx. 445 ± 50#
Middle FP Manifold Valve • Middle probe reads fuel until approx. 308 ± 50#
• Inner probe reads fuel until approx. 20#
• FP failure
Transfer Electric Boost Pump • Illuminates an FP FAIL caution message on CAS
Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530# • Kicks off the auto-balance system illuminating a FUEL BAL caution
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150# • Low level optical sensors (110#) still work
Inner FP LL Probe & Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank
L FUEL LO <110 lbs BOOST PUMP R FUEL LO <110 lbs

Probes
-7 fuel quantity probes (3/1/3)
-445 ± 50# (outer probe)
-308 ± 50# (middle probe)
-Until approx. 20# (inner probe)
-Collector divides capacity equally between lt/rt
-FP FAIL if a probe fails and shuts off auto-balance
-2 Low level sensors (1 per wing tank)
-Optical sensors - separate from fuel quantity probes
- L/R FUEL LO on CAS indicates <100 lbs in tank
 To
Engine
Fuel Quantity EICAS

Indicating System FF Transmitter

FF
(lbs/hr)

Via cable
FMU PCL
Via PMU

Engine Driven
Hi-Press Pump
Engine Driven
EICAS
Lo-Press Pump Fuel Qty

Purge • Fuel Low Level Sensor

Firewall
Line • Optical sensor in each tank
Motive
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow
FUEL BAL
• Independent of FP & quantity gauge
Line Fuel
EDM • Illuminates an L FUEL LO or R FUEL LO caution message on CAS
Fuel Filter Probes FP FAIL
• Indicates fuel quantity below 110# in tank
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press M FUEL BAL
Switch <10 psi

FUEL PX
Turns on
Boost Pump
• Fuel Quantity Indicator
• On EICAS environmental area
Outer FP
Vent Line • Fuel bar for each tank & totalizer
• Fuel bar and total turns yellow at 150#
Transfer • Aerobatics are prohibited with indications below 150# per side
Valve

Manifold Valve
Middle FP
• BINGO
• Pilot-selectable “BINGO, BINGO” audio alert
Transfer Electric Boost Pump • Set value through UFCP (0 to 1200)
Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530# • Audio alert activates when totalizer reaches set value
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Inner FP
Primary Jet Pump
& Flip Flop Valve
EICAS fuel indicator 150# • Must reset value to less than total fuel onboard to silence audio alert
LL Probe

Lt Wing Tank
(15 sec inverted)
Rt Wing Tank
• Default value is 400#
Collector Tank
L FUEL LO <110 lbs BOOST PUMP R FUEL LO <110 lbs

Probes
-7 fuel quantity probes (3/1/3)
-445 ± 50# (outer probe)
-308 ± 50# (middle probe)
-Until approx. 20# (inner probe)
-Collector divides capacity equally between lt/rt
-FP FAIL if a probe fails and shuts off auto-balance
-2 Low level sensors (1 per wing tank)
-Optical sensors - separate from fuel quantity probes
- L/R FUEL LO on CAS indicates <100 lbs in tank
 To
Engine

Fuel Balancing FF Transmitter

EICAS
FF
• Fuel quantity and balancing systems handled through Engine Data Manager
System
(lbs/hr)

(EDM) computer which sends info to EICAS

Via cable
FMU PCL
Via PMU

Engine Driven • Operation

Engine Driven
Hi-Press Pump • Keeps fuel level in tanks within 20# of each other
Lo-Press Pump
EICAS
Fuel Qty • Maximum lateral fuel imbalance is 50#
Purge • EDM begins auto-balance when senses imbalance of 20# (or more) for 30 seconds
Firewall
Motive
Line
• Transfer valve closes to lighter tank shutting off transfer jet pumps
FUEL BAL
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow • If fuel imbalance is not reduced to less than 30# in 2 minutes:
Line Fuel
EDM FP FAIL
• Auto-balance system will shut off
Fuel Filter Probes • A FUEL BAL caution message on CAS illuminates
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press M FUEL BAL
• Reset auto-balance system by selecting RESET then back to AUTO on FUEL BAL switch
Switch <10 psi
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump
• Controls
Outer FP
Vent Line • Located on Right Forward Switch Panel (front cockpit only)
• FUEL BAL Switch:
Transfer • AUTO – Auto-balance system selected Manual Fuel
Valve
• MAN/RESET – Reset auto-balance system/select manual balancing of system Balance Switch
Middle FP Manifold Valve • Selecting MAN will illuminate a M FUEL BAL CAS advisory light
• MANUAL FUEL BAL Switch:
• L/R – Turns off respective transfer valve (stops transfer)
Transfer Electric Boost Pump • OFF – Both transfer valves open
Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530# • Switch active when MAN selected on FUEL BAL switch
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
Inner FP LL Probe & Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank
L FUEL LO <110 lbs BOOST PUMP R FUEL LO <110 lbs

Probes Auto Balance

-7 fuel quantity probes (3/1/3) -Controlled by EDM
-445 +/- 50# (outer probe) -Keeps wing tanks within 20#
-308 +/- 50# (middle probe) -20# imbalance/30 sec (shuts off transfer pump)
-Until approx. 20# (inner probe) -If not <30# in 2 min – FUEL BAL
-Collector divides capacity equally between lt/rt -M FUEL BAL selected by switch (auto balance not active)
-FP FAIL if a probe fails and shuts off auto-balance -Enables Manual Fuel Balance Switch
-2 Low level sensors (1 per wing tank) -Max allowable imbalance of 50#
-Optical sensors - separate from fuel quantity probes
- L/R FUEL LO on CAS indicates <100 lbs in tank
Fuel Balance Switch
 To
Engine

EICAS
FF
FF Transmitter (lbs/hr)

Via cable
FMU PCL
Via PMU

Engine Driven

Engine Driven
Lo-Press Pump
Hi-Press Pump
EICAS
Conclusion
Fuel Qty

Purge
Line
Firewall
Motive FUEL BAL • Identified main sections & components of fuel system
Firewall Shutoff Valve Flow
Line Fuel
EDM FP FAIL
•
Fuel Filter Probes
Discussed operation of fuel system
Mx Shutoff Valve Low Press M FUEL BAL
Switch <10 psi
Turns on
FUEL PX Boost Pump
• Discussed operation of fuel quantity and indicating system
Outer FP
Vent Line

• Discussed operation of fuel balancing system

Transfer
Valve

Middle FP Manifold Valve

Transfer Electric Boost Pump

Jet Pump
S.P. – 530# / 40# / 530#
O.W. – 580# / 40# / 580#
Primary Jet Pump
EICAS fuel indicator 150#
Inner FP LL Probe & Flip Flop Valve
(15 sec inverted)
Lt Wing Tank Rt Wing Tank
Collector Tank
L FUEL LO <110 lbs BOOST PUMP R FUEL LO <110 lbs
Abnormal Fuel Scenarios located in Procedures Section/EPs
Probes Auto Balance
-7 fuel quantity probes (3/1/3) -Controlled by EDM
-445 +/- 50# (outer probe) -Keeps wing tanks within 20#
-308 +/- 50# (middle probe) -20# imbalance/30 sec (shuts off transfer pump)
-Until approx. 20# (inner probe) -If not <30# in 2 min – FUEL BAL
-Collector divides capacity equally between lt/rt -M FUEL BAL selected by switch (auto balance not active)
-FP FAIL if a probe fails and shuts off auto-balance -Enables Manual Fuel Balance Switch
-2 Low level sensors (1 per wing tank) -Max allowable imbalance of 50#
-Optical sensors - separate from fuel quantity probes
- L/R FUEL LO on CAS indicates <100 lbs in tank