Fuel Tubing isn’t just for fuel any more. [X(]

I lost my canopy during a flight last week (Extra 300) it was held in place by two 4/40 bolts – which apparently vibrated loose.

A local fellow suggested that I cut a use piece of fuel tubing as a lock washer to prevent it from happening again. Hey – a flight line fix is better than going home, so I cut off a couple pieces 1/8” long and used it for the canopy –NO PROBLEMS! Now I use it to hold the Cowl on as well. They are inexpensive, work well and don’t mark the finish.

So let’s list some of the ‘Other’ uses that we have for fuel tubing;

#2 Antenna Tensioner. I run my antenna to the rudder, to keep it in place and flexible I use a pin in the rudder. I cut two pieces of tubing ¼” long and pull the elastic band through the center of each piece, loop one end of the elastic around the pin on the tail, thread the antenna through the opposite end of the elastic and now slide each piece of tubing to snug up to the antenna and pin.

#3 Needle Valve Seal; air leaks around the needle valve can be stopped by putting the needle valve through a ½” long piece of tubing and reinserting the needle valve into the housing.

#4 Automatic Brake; For planes that don’t want to slow down on landing or in the pits, remove the outer wheel collars put on a washer followed by a 1/8” piece of tubing and then use the wheel collar to slightly compress the tubing against the washer. The wheel will still turn but the pressure of the tubing against the washer slows the wheel.