Gas engine and indoor storage
 

I am thinking of getting my first gas engine plane in the 26cc range. I don't have a garage in which to store the plane and was wondering about storing it inside my apartment. My concern is the fumes/odor from the gasoline and the fire hazard from the fuel tank inside the plane. I can store a gas can in an outside shed, but not a plane. If it is a bad idea I will just stick with glow for now and wait until I have a suitable storage area for a gas plane.

If anyone has any thoughts or ideas I would appreciate hearing them.

RE: Gas engine and indoor storage
 

You can store your gas powered plane indoors if you take a few simple precautions. The main hazard here is fumes and the fire hazard they can present.

I store my gas plane in the basement. I pump the tank dry before I take the plane indoors. I plug the tank vent with a suitable plug (I use a rivet, it was handy, a fuel dot would do as well). Then I make sure the choke on the engine is closed fully. There is no odour more than a foot or 2 from the plane. With no liquid gasoline in the tank, the fire hazard is pretty much negligable.

If I didn't have a choke on my engine, I might consider corking the intake.

The plane's about 4' from the wife's washer/dryer, and I don't get "gas smell" complaints from her, so it's not bad! If your appt. is very air tight, there could be some minor odour in the storage room.

J

RE: Gas engine and indoor storage
 

As he said.

You can also place a plastic bag around the front of the plane after you've drained all fuel and aired it out a bit to let everything evaporate as much as possible.

Just be sure to put a little oil in the engine and turn it over to keep it in good shape while it is stored.

RE: Gas engine and indoor storage
 

I put a plastic golf "T" in my vent tube and after draining the tank I start the engine and burn out what is in the line to the engine.
I only have one gas engine that has only been in use a short time but no problem so far.