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<P>Ive been a hopper tank diss-believer for years. I also wonder why many continue to report benefits. What's responsible for the benefit?</P>
<P>I'm in agreement with Nat, and what "I think" Jerry has said regarding the fuel system with a FULL hopper tank being a column of fluid, and the hopper would have no benefit.</P>
<P>Maybe hopper serves to eliminate foaming and bubbles? Do I understand heli pilots use hoppers for that reason?</P>
<P>In practice do we usually have some air in the hopper? Or do we usually have a hopper tank that is flexible? Might we be drawing from the hopper without replenishing from the main tank during a vertical? Then the hopper gets replenished during level lines?</P>
<P>Still wondering, Ron Lockhart</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">-------------- Original message -------------- <BR><BR>> >Matt, <BR>> >With or without the hopper tank we still have a solid column of <BR>> >incompressible fluid for gravity and G's to play its tricks on. I <BR>> >contend if it runs ok with the hopper it will run just as well <BR>> >without. Nat <BR>> <BR>> Nat, <BR>> <BR>> While not exactly accurate as stated, your point is well taken. Your <BR>> hypothesis has some merit when the tank is full, but it falls short <BR>> anytime else (which is most of the flight). Adding just a small <BR>> amount of air causes the system to become compressible (just like the <BR>> brakes on your car). <BR>> <BR>> Jerry <BR>> -- <BR>> ___________ <BR>> Jerry Budd <BR>> mailto:jbudd@qnet.com <BR>> ===================================== <BR>> # To be removed from this list, go to http://www.nsrca.org/discussionA.htm <BR>> and follow the instructions. <BR>> </BLOCKQUOTE></body></html>