C. FUEL PANEL Main page

Lockheed L-049A Constellation

Fuel Panel

  1. Auxiliary Fuel Pump Switches
    Toggles the auxiliary fuel pumps (electric). For engine start, the fuel pumps must be HIGH or LOW, during takeoff or in emergency situations, in position HIGH (for details, refer to the checklist).
    [FS: electrical fuel pumps are turned on with positions LOW or HIGH and turned off in position OFF]
  2. Auxiliary Fuel Pump Switches for 2A/3A Tanks
    Model 149 was fitted with additional fuel tanks for the inboard engines (tanks 2A and 3A). In case of the 049, these switches are inactivated. See also (1).
    [FS: If a 149 is simulated, switch 2A has the same effect than switch 2, and 3A the same as switch 3.]
  3. Emergency Shut-Off
    Setting this switch to OFF closes the fuel valve and causes the corresponding engine to be cut off from any fuel tank. An engine won't start, if its Emergency Shut-Off Switch is set OFF.
    [FS: Click to open the protection cover. Then, each click toggles the switch ON/OFF. The cover closes automatically after some time.]
  4. Fuel Transfer Lever
    Toggles the crossfeed valve of the corresponding fuel tank. For working crossfeed, the Fuel Transfer Levers of both, the receiving engine and the supplying tank, must be OPEN. Additionally, the Fuel Tank Lever (5) of the supplying tank must be in position OPEN.
    [FS: By default, the crossfeed levers are CLOSED]
  5. Fuel Tank Lever
    Toggles the tank valve of the corresponding fuel tank. If a Fuel Tank Lever is OPEN, the corresponding engine is always drawing its fuel from that tank, regardless of the position of the Fuel Transfer Levers (4). An engine is cut off from any fuel, if its Fuel Tank Lever and its Fuel Transfer Lever (4) is CLOSED.
    [FS: By default, these levers are in position OPEN]
     
    General notes to the fuel system: Model 049 has four fuel tanks named Tank 1 (for the left outboard engine), Tank 2 (left inboard), Tank 3 (right inboard), Tank 4 (right outboard). Also refer to the Fuel Tank Indicators (28), (29), (30) and (31) on the Flight Engineer's Panel.
     
    PLEASE NOTE: When using the FS2004 fuel and payload menu, it is important to know, which of the tank names displayed in the menu correspond to which tank in the 049/149 fuel system:
     
    Engine 049/149
    Tank Name
    FS2004
    Tank Name
    Capacity
    in gallons
    #1 (left outboard) Tank 1 Center1 1555
    #2 (left inboard) Tank 2 Left Main 790
    #3 (right inboard) Tank 3 Right Main 790
    #4 (right outboard) Tank 4 Center2 1555

    Model 149 is fitted with two additional tanks 2A and 3A for the inboard engines:
     
    #2 (left inboard) Tank 2A Left Aux 565
    #3 (right inboard) Tank 3A Right Aux 565

    [FS: Don't be confused about the fact that the FS2004 center tanks are used as outboard tanks and not as fuselage tanks. This has been done to implement a very realistic fuel utilization, especially in case of the 149.]
     
    [FS: With opened Fuel Tank Lever 2, Tank 2A is emptied before Tank 2, and with Fuel Tank Lever 3 open, Tank 3A is emptied before Tank 3 (FS2004 auto crossfeed).]
     
    When calculating the amount of fuel needed, ensure, that the maximum landing weight (77,800 lbs) will never be exceeded. When doing only a pattern, it is a good idea, to choose this value as takeoff weight, too (see 049A Specifications).
     
    [FS: If a flight situation is saved and reloaded later, all Fuel Tank Levers (5) will be in position OPEN and all Fuel Transfer Levers (4) are CLOSED, causing all engines to draw from their default tank. Due to the limitations of the FS2004 fuel system, it is not possible to properly restore the correct position of each fuel tank selector (FS2004 does not save the positions of more than two fuel selectors)].
     
    To avoid that one or more engines run out of fuel due to an improperly operated fuel system, follow these steps when configuring the Fuel Tank Levers (5) and Fuel Transfer Levers (4):
    1. Set all Fuel Tank Levers (5) to position OPEN (all engines draw from their default tank).
    2. Move the Fuel Transfer Levers (4) to the desired positions.
    3. Start fuel crossfeed by closing the Fuel Tank Levers (5) of the receiving engines.
     
    [FS: The illustration of the fuel system displayed on the Fuel Panel contains many quick tip mouse areas (ie. the engine and valve symbols), giving you detailed information about the current configuration.]
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