Can anyone explain how the fuel heaters are supposed to be used. I'm having trouble finding much information on them. I suspect that the fuel heat system is modeled in the CS 727, and that may have been the cause of my engine failure during a flight to Yellowknife in the North West Territories of Canada. It was cold. I have seen the three orange lights come on in the past, and I just turned the fuel heaters on and they went out. However, if I turn the fuel heaters off moments later, the lights come on again. I'm not sure if the heaters are supposed to remain on all the time. Either way, I forgot to turn the heaters on and that is the only conclusion I can come to.

Thanks,
Adam

Yep. thats interesting to hear about that from rw pilots.

i turning it on when temp comes close to 0C and leaving it on all the time. i turn it off then i below 10000 usualy coz there warm enough. i guess less fuel you got, earlier you'll need to turn it on.

as i understand - its a really bad idea to overheat the fuel.

Fuel heaters were used to prevent fuel icing or freezing at low temps at high altitudes.

At Ansett airlines in Australia who operated the 727 the fuel heaters were selected ON prior to take-off by the Flight Engineer and were covered in the FE pre-taxi checklist.

So select them on before taxi and leave them on until after arrival - simple.

Ok thanks, however I discovered that fuel heat was not my problem. I tried the same flight again with the fuel heat on and the same thing happened.

I think my fuel config might have been the problem. The center tank had 3000 pounds and the wing tanks were full at takeoff. Once I reached cruise, i think the center tank ran out of fuel and the engines died. But the crossfeeds were all open so I guess I don't understand why the engines died. The engines wouldn't start up again until I turned the center pumps off.

CXA546 wrote on Nov 16^th, 2011 at 3:51am:

...I think my fuel config might have been the problem. The center tank had 3000 pounds and the wing tanks were full at takeoff. Once I reached cruise, i think the center tank ran out of fuel and the engines died. But the crossfeeds were all open so I guess I don't understand why the engines died. The engines wouldn't start up again until I turned the center pumps off.

Hi CXA546,

Doesn't matter if crossfeeds valves are open. Pay attention at F/E panel and be sure to close the valves and shut off pumps before each tank is almost empty (about 500 pounds) or the engines will die. The same thing happens with the B707.

Greetings,

Pinatubo.

Nice thread on the fuel system and also on the 'don't let the centre run dry' item. http://www.captainsim.org/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1293609278

Thanks for all the feedback!!! Seems to be working great now.