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- Jul 2, 2007
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a friend recently bought a Pitts and asked what spare parts he should keep on hand. The two most common suggestions were gas caps and tailwheels.
On a short flight last week with about 4 gallons remaining I thought I noticed the gas cap (2" Thermos style) was slightly ajar. Moments later it was up about 1/4", then after a few seconds 1/2", I watched helplessly as it popped up, bounced of the windshield (I ducked just in case), and joined its brothers in liberated gas cap heaven.
My new one arrived from Aircraft Spruce a few days later and I noticed how much softer the rubber was and how easily it sealed. I guess when the rubber gets hard and they need changing they let you know by departing.
Noticed an old Australia AD regarding disappearing Pitts fuel caps, followed by disappearing fuel, resulting in off-airport landings. They regulate a restraining device for the cap. My previous flight was 2 hours over glaciers and grizzlies without any good places to even crash, so it caught my attention.
Most fuel tank installs I see have a single 1/4" breather tube down the gear leg and that seems to work fine. There's mention in the Aircraft Spruce catalog to drill a #40 (3/32') hole in the cap - anybody do this?
GuidoEdited by: Guido Lepore
