Thread: Hello

I have recently started flying a CTSW as my primary plane. Previously I flew Diamonds and Cessnas but they were getting too expensive to fly and maintain. I have found the CTSW to be easy to fly and much more responsive than anything I have flown in the past. It really is like a Mazda Miata compared to an SUV. I enjoy flying it locally and may take a longer trip during the summer. The plane uses so little fuel that filling it with MoGas using 5 gallon containers is really easy. My main problem is actually using up the fuel....

I will review the forums and see how people are handling the landings. I use 15 degrees flaps and slip the plane as needed when the towers request an early turn to base etc. Speed control seems key, similar to the Diamond DA20. Anyway, just a great little plane.

Do you think it is safe to add a "fuel stabilizer" if only a limited amount of fuel is burned after each trip?

Welcome Basin flyer,
Glad to hear your having a good experience with the CT. It is a great airplane for local and cross country flying. I just delivered a CTSW to Duluth from SE Arizona. Took me a little over 10 hours and burned a total of 51 gals of fuel in 1234 miles. Nothing compared to the guys flying around the world right now, but still shows this little airplane has some great utility and is fun to boot..

Regards
Eric Swisher
Copper City Aviation Services

That is a good question. I need to research whether there are any long term problems in using a stabilizer on a regular basis. My understanding is that MoGas can sit in the tank for 4 months without a problem (assuming it was not old to start with). But after that octane degradation and oxidation products become a problem. A fuel stabilizer should extend the life to 12 months, but I have not used this personally. The ASA Rotax Video recommends the fuel stabilizer for long term storage.

Every day I can fly this little bird is a good day!

Originally Posted by BasinFlyer

... My understanding is that MoGas can sit in the tank for 4 months without a problem...

mogas is adjusted seasonally to get the optimum vapor pressure in an attempt to keep starting easy and avoid vapor lock. if it sits for 3-4 months the fuel won't be optimized.

I put fuel stabilizer in my auto fuel (Stabil). I have not noticed any problems. I don't use fuel with ethanol, though.

Rotax's stance is only 4 weeks.
They are worried about octane degradation and evaporation of the additives. Fuel will loose its additives and octane through evaporation even in a closed container.

Originally Posted by Roger Lee

Rotax's stance is only 4 weeks.

Thanks. And clearly the exact number changes with conditions etc. as pointed out earlier.

Other than degradation and evaporation will it at somepoint start gumming/clogging/laquering the fuel system up?