Just getting ready to order a BVM UAT. Just wondering if the guys who have been using them have had any problems with them?? Do the work as well as advertised. Any tips to get the most out of it??

Thanks
Bill

youll find alot of people use them, and think no turbine should fly without it!

I work for a UAV contractor and after showing my boss mine in my jet he has ordered that no plane that we develope from this day forward be flown with out one. We would go back and upgrade the fleet but that would take the customers Ok and that could get ulgy. If we have it in from the start no problem, but going back and changing things is a big deal.

yes, works great.
I am just wondering, why BV makes the fuel fittings of the heavy brass instead of leightweight aluminium.
I always thought low weight is an advantage on airplanes.

mec

Mec,

I am assuming the fittings are a stock item from Festo.

Also, I thought BVM just had exclusive sales rights to market the UAT to the modelling community and that it was actually produced by SWB. Maybe it is just the membrane that SWB have the rights to, I'm not sure. Either way, it's a great product.

I'll be using UATs in all my turbine birds from now on.

Regards,
Garrett

I'm still trying to figure out why the UAT is considered superior to a plain old centre pickup header tank ? In theory the header tank should prevent bubbles from reaching the engine. If people rely on the membrane for filtering , it sure is an expensive and large filter !

As for using the UAT as a filtering system I personally wouldn't reccomend that. It is soley designed to ensure the elimination of air bubbles in all realms of flight manuevers. The basic header tank can work, but with some of the hard and extreme manuevers we do coimbined with the high fuel draw it is possible to have an air bubble flow out of the header tank through the pump and to the engine. I can assure you the header tank isn't always full during operation. The UAT isn't either for that matter. But with teh membrane bag inside it eliminates the air bubbles so we don't have a problem.

On a $6,000+ jet, it just seems like cheap insurance to a possible flame out.

Proper use of the tank is to mount it where the fiiting side is angled up at approximately a 30 degree angle. You can find this info on the BVM web site I believe under the tips section. I had a flameout in my Mig at Lubbock this year and was able to attribute it to a UAT coming loose from its mount and pointing down inside the jet. No fault of the tank or system, just my installation that gave up after many flights on the airframe. I used to secure the UAT with velcro, but now it is secured on a wooden mount with a velcro strap all the way around.

John Redman
Team BVM, Jet Cat USA, Shultze Chargers

and currently stuck in Marietta Georgia for about a month with nothing to do

I think the reason they are considered superior is that:
because of the surface tension of the fuel, you never suck air. Even if the "clunk" temporarily comes out of the fuel level (in some manuver), you still get undisturbed fuel. I have heard that you can suck a tank dry and get every last drop with a wet filter.
They are fairly easy to make, and sure provide added piece of mind. I think there was a thread here earlier this year about how to make your own from an auto fuel filter.

You should check out the Jet Model Products accumulator on their web site. Their unit has a filter in it after the membrane bag as to insure that no fibers enter the fuel system from the membrane.
You would have to see their demo unit to see how effective this is as to eliminate any air from the system. It will still flow fuel with no air bubbles till their is less than 1/2" of fuel in the bottom!
The unit is made of aluminum to insure integrity even in the event of a mishap.

Hope this helps
Marty O

I like the theory of the JMP accumulator but not being able to view inside it would discourage me from using it.

Todd

Todd-
Once you have tried it you wouldn't ever let the thought of not being able to see in concern you.
You can't see inside your main fuel tanks, but they work.
The safety issue out ways any concerns.

Marty O

I have had over 60 flites on my bandit with a std 2 oz header tank and a felt clunk in the middle of the tank. I had the same set up in a Roo with over 80 flites, never a single flameout. I am using a UAT in my new Hot spot and no problems so far. Proper fuel system installation and filteration is key to no flame outs. The UAT and a regular 2oz header tank are, in my humble opinion, of the same value baring the price. The UAT is extremely quick to install....30 secs. The 2oz needs careful assembly but cheaper.

Regards, Ehab.

hey ron y didnt u come to the swanharbor giant scale fly in the demo u did with the bvm bobcat was great at the open house at swanharbor?

I just put my order in!!! I thought this would be a good product, but I just thought I would make sure you guys that had them were happy. Thanks for all the input.
Bill