How much fuel do you typically keep in the tanks?

[CFIDave]

What I have noticed is if you point the fuel nozzle toward the wing tip while fueling, fuel will come out the vents. I make sure to point the fuel nozzle inboard. That's the only explanation I have for fuel coming out the vents when the tank isn’t fuel.

This seems to be true on DA40s, DA42s, and DA62s -- with avgas and JetA fuel. And it's made worse if too much fuel pressure/flow comes out of the nozzle during refueling.

[BRS]

On my DA40 this only happens on the right wing. Thought mine was the only one that did this. Ha

[CFIDave]

On my DA40 this only happens on the right wing. Thought mine was the only one that did this. Ha

I also meant to say right wing -- your plane is no different from others.

[supershaft]

We also log time and fuel remaining in an online log after each flight...

What tool do you use?

Any issues with condensation, or is the partially-full-tank problem over-blown?

We just use an excel spreadsheet in google docs built to capture hobbs, air time and fuel remaining. Everyone sets up an account and then just set the document to share with the other pilots.

I have yet to see any water in a fuel test but the plane does fly a fair bit so condensation may not really develop.

would you be willing to share the spreadsheet by chance?

[Kipping]

I share my DA40NG with two other pilots and we always refuel after our flights, so that the tanks are always full.
Only if somebody would exceed the envelope limit, we would ask the previous pilot not to fill up the tanks.
Usually this works out fine.

Now for my next scheduled trip, this doesn't work out.
The tanks are full (147 liters), but I can only take 110 liters. So my idea is to purchase two good quality metal 20 liter jerrycans and defuel each tank.
It seems not so easy to do, because each fuel drain will have to be activated with an inserted pin, during the whole draining process.

Does anybody have any experiences with this defueling procedure, or does anybody know of better ways to do this?

[Mjwatlanta]

In NG, I have 580 pounds or so of load available with full tanks. So I keep my tanks full. If I planned a trip that required more load, I’d burn off fuel in prep for the flight. But that would be the exception. And I’m super paranoid about running out. When I see 8 gallons a side I get nervous. So unless I only do a few touch and goes, I’m filling up after most flights. The vast majority of my trips are solo or just two souls on board.

[Rich]

Does anybody have any experiences with this defueling procedure, or does anybody know of better ways to do this?

With the Lycoming, one drains it out the gascolator, as the drain can be locked in place. Just select the tank and drain through there. I'm unsure whether this will work for the NG. Just a suggestion to look into.

[Boatguy]

In NG, I have 580 pounds or so of load available with full tanks. So I keep my tanks full. If I planned a trip that required more load, I’d burn off fuel in prep for the flight. But that would be the exception. And I’m super paranoid about running out. When I see 8 gallons a side I get nervous. So unless I only do a few touch and goes, I’m filling up after most flights. The vast majority of my trips are solo or just two souls on board.

I usually departed with full tanks in my 40NG since I mostly flew longer trips, or round trips without fueling at the interim stop.

I always landed with at least 4-6gal which would be at least 45-60min of reserve. The AFM allows a difference of up to 9gal in the tanks so I had no concerns about emptying the right wing and having all the remaining fuel in the left wing. Depending on the fuel remaining, I would transfer fuel to the left wing about 40min before landing to either balance them on landing, or empty the right wing entirely. The fuel burn on descent is very low and this ensured that I didn't have to think about the fuel level while preparing to land, or for at least 30-60min on a missed or go-around.

[Kipping]

Does anybody have any experiences with this defueling procedure, or does anybody know of better ways to do this?

With the Lycoming, one drains it out the gascolator, as the drain can be locked in place. Just select the tank and drain through there. I'm unsure whether this will work for the NG. Just a suggestion to look into.

Thanks, that is a good suggestion! The left tank is selected, so I could drain 40 liters from the gascolator and do a fuel transfer from right to left before the flight. I didn't know that the drain can be locked in place. Good to know!

[QuickOne]

We have a 3 person partnership and due to the W/B and not wanting to remove fuel, we have everyone leave the plane with less than 25 gallons. Each pilot is able to work W/B however they need that matches their flight plan. We bill a wet time of 10 gal/hour and use a card that gets rewards for fuel purchases. Any extra goes into the maintenance fund. Has worked out well so far for our group.