Turtle-Pac Ferry Tank Installations
Whether you want to fly around the world, across the ocean, or just want to fly long distances non-stop, Turtle-Pac Ferry Tanks provide the extra fuel capacity to get you there safely.
Turtle-Pac has been in business since 1978 providing solutions for marine and aviation applications. Air-Mods is their east coast aviation installation facility and is well-equipped to handle even the most sophisticated installations to give you the confidence in your fuel system when you need it the most.
Turtle-Pac's ferry tank is usually fitted in the space created by the removal of the passenger seats.
Turtle-Pac's design typically does not require a supporting structure, although Air-Mods can certainly engineer a suitable structure for specialized installations. In the case of this Cessna 206, the installation requirements included the ability to open the dual side doors in order to access the baggage compartment. Air-Mods engineered and installed a containment structure to allow door operation and, at the same time, hold the tank in place to protect the center of gravity from shifting.
The engineering of the plumbing system is key for reliability and ease of use. Air-Mods designs the system and prepares all of the paperwork for approval by the FAA's Designated Engineering Representative. Once approved, these documents are attached to the FAA's 337 Major Repair and Alteration form and submitted for final approval.
In this installation, the plumbing is affixed to a panel that fastens into the seat rails. Power for the fuel pumps is supplied by the airplane's electrical system through a quick disconnect located on the cabin wall. With these conveniences, the owner can remove the ferry tank and plumbing in less than an hour.
This installation also has electrical and mechanical redundancy. The two pumps can either feed their respective left and right wing tanks or,optionally, could be configured to cross-feed into the opposite fuel tanks.
The electrical switches provide redundancy with two switches available that can power each fuel pump. Both switches provide circuit protection to the pumps.
Additionally, the fuel pump electrical system is protected by panel-mounted circuit breakers.
At the customer's request, additional accessories can be installed such as an independent fuel flow totalizer and annunciator lights specific to the ferry tank.
Final QC inspections are completed prior to the test flight.
Once the ground QC checks are completed, Air-Mods flies the airplane to confirm the correct operation of the systems prior to owner acceptance.
This latest installation, completed in August 2010, was in a brand-new Piper Archer destined for France.
The ferry pilot, Aaron Fisher, who recommended Air-Mods to the owner, flew the airplane straight from the factory in Vero Beach, FL to Robbinsville for this custom installation.
The installation utilized the area where the back seats would normally be. As in all of their installations, Air-Mods calculated the precise moment of the Turtle-Pac station in order to determine the center of gravity and revise the airplane's weight and balance. While Turtle-Pac's design typically does not require a supporting structure, Air-Mods engineered and installed a containment structure as an added measure to hold the tank in place and protect the center of gravity from shifting in flight.
This installation was kept very simple. Air-Mods installed a transfer pump to tranfer fuel from the Turtle-Pac to the right tank eliminating the need for additional valves and plumbing. As you can see from the photos below, the installation provides easy access for fueling and maintains ample space for the pilot and co-pilot.
For information on yet another Turtle-PAC installation along with the pilot's around-the-world story in a Beechcraft Baron, click here