CAVALIER 102.5 OPERATIONS MANUAL




***** WARNING! *****

DISCLAIMER:
The following suggestions by the Cavalier Designer, Stan McLeod, for Cavalier flap operation relate to the operation of Cavalier plain flaps constructed according to the Cavalier plans, not split flaps. The following suggestions by the Cavalier Designer, Stan McLeod, for Cavalier fuel management relate to the operation of Cavalier wing tip mounted fuel tanks constructed according to the Cavalier plans. As always, with any experimental aircraft, these suggestions, and they are only suggestions, should be subject to your own flight testing according to your own flight testing schedule. Any reliance on the the details included on this page or any associated pages is at your own risk! Neither myself or Mr McLeod will be held responsible for any injury or damage how so ever caused resulting from the use of any material contained on this page or any associated pages.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
CONTINUE READING AT YOUR OWN RISK!

If you are unable or unwilling to take responsibility for your own actions, do not read any further, rather go to this page instead.



Suggested flap settings for your Cavalier 102.5 Operations Manual



Takeoff:
 Flaps "0" degrees - optional
Flaps 15 degrees - winds less than 20 knots within 25 degrees of runway centreline
Flaps 30 degrees - winds up to 30 knots within 10 degrees of runway centreline

Short Field Takeoff:
Full throttle, brakes released (confirm during test flying)
Flaps 45 degrees - winds up to 20 knots within 20 degrees of runway centreline

Flap deployment limiting speed - 110 knots IAS


Suggested flap use and limiting winds:

Takeoff,Approach & Landing:
"0" degrees flap - winds over 30 knots or more than 30 degrees off runway centreline

Approach:
15 degrees on base leg

Landing:
15 degrees - winds up to 30 knots maximum, within 20 degrees of runway centreline
30 degrees high final - winds up to 20 knots, within 20 degrees of runway centreline
45 degrees short final - winds up to 20 knots, within 20 degrees of runway centreline
60 degrees "over the fence" - for light winds within 10 degrees of runway centreline
(60 degree flap setting is optional for short field landings)





Tip Tanks - SA102.5, 103, 104 Cavaliers and SA105 Super Cavalier Fuel Management

The vent/ram air system of the Cavalier tip tanks provides "ram air" or positive pressure to the fuel system. This pressure plus gravity delivers fuel to the fuel selector. An engine driven and/or electric fuel pump deliver fuel to the engine through a gascolator and fuel pressure regulator (if required). Fuel filler caps must be "non vented" to maintain positive pressure in the system. All of this is covered in detail in the tip tank plans and instructions.

Fuel Pumps
It is recommended that fuel pumps be turned ON any time either or both tanks are below 1/4 full and all turns restricted to 30 degree bank or less. This is just a good safety precaution. At least one fuel pump, engine driven or electric (preferably one of each or 2 electric pumps) should be fitted to the aircraft. Pumps should be turned ON for takeoff, landing, low level or "maneuvering" operations (unusual attitudes). Pumps may be turned OFF during level cruising flight

With a 2 position fuel selector (not recommended) - OFF / BOTH (or OFF / ON if you like)

If one tends to fly with one wing low for extended periods, (some do) fuel will feed from the high tank to the low tank creating wing heaviness on the low side. The same thing happens when parked on uneven ground (wings not level) with fuel left "ON" - fuel will cross feed and vent overboard from the low tank dumping a tank or so of gas on the ground!
In the air, the low wing will get heavy enough that even the "stundest" pilot will notice! It would be hard work to then lift the heavy wing and fly with the heavy wing "high" until the fuel load re-balanced - OR - unimaginable to continue to fly unbalanced and dump the fuel from the high wing overboard!


With a 3 position fuel selector - OFF / LEFT / RIGHT

A three position fuel selector is OK in a Cavalier as long as the pilot is fuel conscious and does not mind switching tanks regularly to maintain a balanced fuel load.


With a 4 position fuel selector (per plans) - OFF / LEFT / RIGHT / BOTH

One simply selects the heavy/fuller tank until the aircraft re-balances, then select "both". It's rare that a tank does not feed, or that tanks do not feed evenly if the aircraft is flown in straight and level cruise. Turns and maneuvering do not affect fuel feed.
In the case of a tank not feeding:
At a safe altitude, select the offending tank for a few minutes, then back to "both". Both tanks will then feed. If a tank should fail to feed and/or cause engine problems, select "Both" tanks immediately as there may be a blockage in the fuel system. Land and investigate as soon as practical. It is tiring to hold an heavy wing for extended periods, and of course, if you do, your remaining useable fuel is now cut in half including your 45 minute safe reserve!

Suggested fuel management for your Cavalier Operations Manual

Pre-start  -  Fuel on, select "BOTH" tanks
Start on RIGHT tank   -   3 minutes warm-up minumim
Taxi on LEFT tank   -   3 minutes minimum
Run-up  -  Fuel on "BOTH" tanks
This procedure confirms all tanks are feeding properly before takeoff.

Pre-takeoff check  -  Fuel on "BOTH" tanks

Pre-landing check  -  Fuel on "BOTH" tanks

Shut-down check  -  Fuel "OFF"




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