Fuel tanks

[FOD]

Anyone know why the Sececa has two tanks per wing, rather then just one big one? Its not like you can switch between the two. My guess would just be that its a structural strength thing, but unsure.

 

[I_WANNA_BE_ATP]

Email piper for the answer.

 

[seagull]

Without knowing for sure in this case, there are design tradeoffs in everything you do. I expect there is the need for a structural component (probably a rib) at that point in the wing, so making it continuous would require either a wet wing (with it's own issues) or more structure elsewhere.

Two tanks is the simpler, lightest and strongest way to do it, I expect.

 

[goredbirds]

Some Senecas have a third tank in each wing. Instead of a tube connecting the two tanks, there is a third collector tank that provides interconnection and holds about 10 gallons if I remember correctly. The particular airplane I had experience with also had a Robertson STOL kit on it. Got off the ground like a champ, but very squirly at low speeds...