Technical Information & Links
Things you need to know about fuel cells.
Things you need to know about fuel cells.
Construction Types, AD's & SB's
| Goodyear / Loral / Engineered Fabrics / Meggitt (multi-ply urethane) | Repairable? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-1960 | Pliocel | All nylon construction, becomes very brittle | No |
| 1960-70 | BTC-39 | Condemned - AD 78-05-06 | No |
| 1970-72 | BTC-54A | Soft urethane similar to BTC-39 but thicker | No |
| 1973-78 | BTC-67 | Urethane becomes stiff & brittle, nipples break off | No |
| 1979-88 | BTC-85 | Better urethane construction with nitrile nipples | Sometimes |
| 1988-on | BTC-99 | Latest construction weakens in alcohol & aromatics | Yes |
| A.I.R. / Duralite (1-ply urethane) / FFC MFG. (1-ply nitrile) | Repairable? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979-94 | P-2315 | Low-grade urethane, nipples break off body crumbles | No |
| 1994-99 | P-2393 | Similar to 1975-91 Uniroyal, weak nipples, seams | Sometimes |
| 2000-on | P-2393 | Better | Usually |
| US Rubber (multi-ply nitrile) / Uniroyal (1-ply nitrile) / AmFuel | Repairable? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946-55 | US-538N | Durable military construction becomes stiff with age | Rarely |
| 1956-on | US-566R | Durable military construction | Usually |
| 1956-59 | US-584 | Nitrile coated cotton fabric, dries out, shrinks, and tears | Rarely |
| 1956-61 | US-588 | Durable military construction | Usually |
| 1959-62 | US-907 | Extremely thin material | No |
| 1963-74 | US-943 | Durable, gusseted corners, medium weight fabric | Usually |
| 1975-91 | US-943 | Less durable, stiff folded corners lower quality fabric | Usually |
| Aero-Tech Services / A.T.S. (2-ply nitrile) | Repairable? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976-90 | 201 | Blisters and separations, shrinkage, not ozone resistant | Not worth it |
| 1991-on | 201 | Shrinkage issue similar to US-584 | Not worth it |
| Graham Lott Ent. / Duraflex / A/C Fuel Cells Worldwide / A/C Team (1-ply nitrile) | Repairable? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-2002 | Thin material, leaks extensively, weak seams | No |
(Unapproved parts notice #96-269 April 13, 1999)
| Eagle Technologies Co. (multi ply) | Repairable? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-09 | EMS7 | Original nitrile susceptible to drying out in low fuel | Usually |
| 2010-on | EMS7 | New polymer developed to resist increased aromatics | Yes |
Maintenance Issues
- AD 78-05-06 - All Goodyear BTC-39 fuel cells: Condemned at removal
- AD 84-10-01R1 - Cessna 180 to 210 filler caps / wrinkles / quick drains. Check out our valve STC
- AD 90-21-08 - Cessna 180: add a left hand vent on early models
- AD 90-23-18R1 - Piper PA-23: Wedge kits field installed in inboard aft corner of fuel cells trap more water than the original problem and should be removed
- Beech MSB 2109 - Some Barons and Bonanzas equipped with baffle boxes must replace deteriorating brown safety foam with Type IV blue safety foam
- Venting - Bent or broken vents or vent lines restricted by ice or insect nests cause a vacuum that unsnaps cell causing uneven flow and or false fuel quantity indications
- New fuels - Increased quantities of oxygenates, toluene, and other aromatics used to boost octane in auto gas, 100LL and new fuels degrade rubber parts like o-rings and hoses
Call Eagle Fuel Cells for additional information.
General Aviation Links
Pilot / Owner
ABS-American Bonanza Society
http://www.bonanza.org
CPA-Cessna Pilots Association
http://www.cessna.org
CFA-Cessna Flyers Association
http://www.cessnaflyer.org
PFA-Piper Flyers Association
http://www.piperflyer.org
ICA - International Comanche Society
https://www.comancheflyers.com/

EAA - Experimental Aircraft Association
http://www.eaa.org
AOPA - Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
http://www.aopa.org
Industry / Mechanic
FAA - Federal Aviation Administration

PAMA - Professional Aviation Maintenance Association
http://www.pama.org
NBAA - National Business Aviation Association
http://www.nbaa.org
Essco - aircraft manuals
http://www.esscoaircraft.com
EGV - Eagle River Union Airport
http://www.erairport.com
Aviation News & Data Bases
Midwest Flyer-Regional
http://www.midwestflyer.com
GA News–National
http://www.generalaviationnews.com
AvWeb – National
http://www.avweb.com
AMT-Aviation Maintenance Technician
AMU-Air Maintenance Update
http://www.amumagazine.com
Aviation Services Directory
http://www.aviationservicesdirectory.com
Global Aviation Navigator
http://www.globalair.com
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