DC10FE Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 I got this question from a friend of mine @ Lynden. I haven't been on a Herc since 12/95 so I'm stumped. Any help? Don R. "A student asked me how to adjust the dip stick readings for the different fuels. JP-4, JP-5, JET-A, JET-A-1 and so on. Any ideas? Is there a chart? Which fuel is the dip stick calibrated to?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyclark Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) A density of 6.7 lbs/gal was to determine the calibration of the 394607-15 dip stick; therefore, the accuracy of the dip stick is affected by the actual density of the fuel and is not to be used to determine the accuracy of the indicator. The airplane must be level when using the dip stick. I would assume since most of the jet fuels are kerosene based, that they would be close to each other. I think the normal height loss in approximately 2" per thousand pounds of fuel. I also don't think you use the stick as a fuel measurement tool either. But then again, I don't fly them. Edited September 2, 2009 by tinyclark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in WV Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 JP-4 and Jet B are wide cut gasoline not kerosine based. IIRC JP-4 weighs 6.7lbs/gallon and JP-5/8 weighs 6.9lbs/gallon. The USAF dip sticks are calibrated for JP-4. If RZ jumps in he will know. I trusted the dip stick more than the digital gauges when we first got them. The digital gauges settled down after a while or maybe we just got used to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaprad Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 I believe that there's a conversion chart in the -00GE. I'll look tonight and see if my memory is working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEFEGeorge Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 If you flew with an inop fuel gauge you had to dip the tank and verify fuel quantity. There were times when the dip stick was missing, so you just took the broom handle and dipped the tank and then the opposite tank to see how close they were on the handle. Assuming that there was no tilt to the bird. I think 2% was max tilt. Wasn't JP-4 6.4 lbs/gal? JP-5 at 6.9 sounds right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RZHill Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 If you flew with an inop fuel gauge you had to dip the tank and verify fuel quantity. There were times when the dip stick was missing, so you just took the broom handle and dipped the tank and then the opposite tank to see how close they were on the handle. Assuming that there was no tilt to the bird. I think 2% was max tilt. Wasn't JP-4 6.4 lbs/gal? JP-5 at 6.9 sounds right. Your right 6.4 and 6.9 If I remember jp8 is same weight as jp5. Jp4 being wide cut gasoline, Jp5 and jp8 Diesel base RZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC10FE Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 Thanks for the replies, guys. Anyone remember the technical term for the dip stick? I can recall back when I was going through FTD as a A/3C at Langley, the instructor called it a maple gauge. Odd, I can remember garbage like that, but I'll be damned if I can remember what I had for dinner last night! Don R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 (edited) A few recollections about the Dipstick. It was built for JP-4 and no foam in the tanks. I never heard of a different calibration so I don't think any different dipsticks were ever created. Essentially anyone using JP-4 without foam in their tanks can rely on the actual numbers on the stick the rest of us (OK not me anymore) have to rely on 1. the level on the stick (which is why any long pole will do - but I prefer one I can knife a line/notch if the sun is in a bad position) and 2. the tilt of the aircraft. I used to have an ADI chart which showed the amount to increase or decrease your estimate on based on how much the aircraft was leaning and which tank you were dipping. I got it while I was with Southern Air but if remember correctly it was copied not produced by Southern. It would take a few hours of digging (and at least a six-pack) but if someone is desperate for it and no one else has a copy I could be persuaded to sacrifice for the team and try to find it Edited September 3, 2009 by Jake incomplete information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyclark Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 I couldn't find a conversion chart in the GE or the old -1 copy I have. JP4 is a mixture of kerosene and gas. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/engines-fuel.htm The official name is dip stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyJ Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 1C-130H-2-00GE-00-1 5-16.1.1 - Warning: The only dipstick authorized for use in fuel tanks is part No. 394607-15 (NSN 1680-01-114-2579). Didn't see a conversion chart though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaprad Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 I looked in the GE as well, didn't find it. Maybe it's in the 12JG. I'll look tonight if I have a few spare minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyclark Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 Yep, it was in the JG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEFEGeorge Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 I couldn't find a conversion chart in the GE or the old -1 copy I have. JP4 is a mixture of kerosene and gas. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/engines-fuel.htm The official name is dip stick. Hmmm, wasn't Dip Stick Assembly another name for the butter-bar co-pilots? :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EClark Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 We really used them a few time when we where TDY ,and the gauges would act up some of the fuel at some of the stops could have moisture in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC10FE Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 At Transafrik, we just about wore them out. It was common practice to dip the tanks on every preflight & after every refuel. Most of the time, half the gauges didn't work & the ones that did work were not very reliable. Don R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwrong1 Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 The dip stick actually has different scales on them now if i remember correctly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaprad Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 They have different tanks scales on each side. One for outboards, one for inboard and I remember seeing one that had a scale for an External at one time. Though how you get in in there I have yet to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F106A Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 Actually, we FEs have to dip the tanks if one of the gauges is broken. I don't even use the scales on the stick. The chiefs have to max the mains before we fly to stay in primary fuel management, so you dip the one with the good gauge, walk over to the symetrical and dip it. If the wet spot matches, you're good. And actually, if the tanks are maxed, when you open the top of wing cap it's pretty obvious. As far as the markings, I've always been told that the markings are just for JP-4. Like I wrote above, I never use them though. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyclark Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 The stick is marked for JP-4, it states that right on the drawing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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