Hatz Biplane Association

Help. Some of you experienced Hatz fliers. What is the best way to fill the center wing tank using 5 gal cans. I have tried all kinds of ladder positions, but hard to get close. Up till now I have been using the firewall tank. Today, I arrived with 4 - 5 gallon cans and learned real fast this could be very hazardous.

Michael
N9648B

Jeff and I did two things to make refueling easier.
We copied Lorin Wilkinson's idea of moving the filler neck to 7 inches from the left side of the tank. A step was added on the front of the landing gear and a removable step was added above the bottom longeron just behind the firewall to use if no ladder is available.
I purchased a Goat Throat pump (the green one) from Aircraft Spruce. It fits the neck on 5 gallon red plastic cans. It comes with a 4 foot hose and a nozzle on the end. It works by pumping air into the can which forces the gas out. I built a platform on my ladder to set the can on and it works very well. You also avoid scratching the paint on the center section by holding the can up there. We watched guys put a board across the rear cockpit, stand on that and lean forward on the trailing edge of the center section, but if you over fill the tank, you and the front cockpit will get soaked with fuel.
John Hanson HC-012

I place an old towel on top of the center section and another towel on the wing walk. Screw a tractor funnel on the filler neck. Set the gas can on the wing walk towel. Step into the seat, pick up the can and pour. If help is there, I don't need the wing walk towel. I also use a can with a spring loaded cap.

Steve

Thanks for the ideas. I wish I had made some of these mods during building. I like the Goatthroat pumps. I am modifying a rolling bakers frame scaffold to fit over and across the nose. This will work at home - but away is still a problem.

Thanks
Michael
N9648B