Chieftain Fuel Low Level Annunciation System

[jmmiller]

Anyone who has experienced a Fuel Low Level Annunciation System failure on a Chieftain knows how much time and expense is involved.

Over the years, we have experienced our share and now there's a way to eliminate that system altogether.

You all may have noticed that we have a new member "willow" here on the board. pa31typeclub.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=sayhi&action=display&thread=12 He is Ian Atkinson, the Business Development Manager for Piper.

We have arranged with him to have Piper develop an FAA approved kit drawing for each of our Chieftains that will enable us to remove and disable the whole Fuel Low Level Annunciation System.

They produce the FAA approved documentation necessary to remove the annunciator system, install a blanking cover, cap and stow the associated wiring in such a manner that would allow reversion to the full system if required. They also include the changes to the aircraft and maintenance documentation (POH amendment and any Continued Airworthiness Instructions).

When considering this modification, we were able to justify the expense of the kit versus the cost of just one of the probes. It just made sense to proceed with the removal of the system and then face no further troubleshooting and parts expense.

I'm sure that Ian would be happy to discuss this same project with you if you're interested.

Give him a call at 772-299-2389

Joe M Miller
Warbelow's Air Ventures, Inc
Fairbanks, Alaska

[orca]

Thanks for your info Joe. This system has caused us more than a few head aches and expense! We have found the 'time-delay' module at fault most times and have found very little fault with the probes. The module is a real 'b----' to get at, as you who have tried replacing them know, and they are hard to find serviceable. I welcome any more word on deactivating the system as this is an ongoing pain in the butt.

[jmmiller]

Greetings all,

Just a quick note to update you all on our experiences with the Low Level Annunciation System removal project.

We have now modified two of our aircraft. Both of them were on the verge of going inop, so this mod came just in time.

Piper has been extremely helpful and again I would recommend anyone who is having even the slightest problem with this system to avail yourself of this mod.

It takes around two hours to complete, including filling out the 337 and updating the POH (Strike out sections that refer to the system).

Our Director of Operations created a "Read File" for the pilots to make them aware of the change to the annunciator system. He pointed out that the last time we repaired this system it cost well over $5,000.00, so it really makes economic sense to perform the mod.

One final note regarding Piper. Ian Atkinson has moved on from Piper and Eric Wright has now assumed his duties.

Eric used to work in the Anchorage ACO, so he is very familiar with the conditions that we face here in Alaska. He's extremely knowledgeable and more than willing to help with any engineering problems/situations that you can throw at him.

Joe M

[Tim Glubaskas]

To piggyback on what Joe said (he went off on vacation)

The Kit number is 88539
It comes with a drawing and a permission letter

Requirements of the Kit:
1) Remove probe assembly p/n 54751-002 and cover 40558-002
2) Cap and stow electrical
3) Install cover 40558-000 (does not come with kit, wee had some spares lying around) in place of the -002 cover
4) Remove lamps and paint over Fuel Flow Warning Annunciators w/ flat black

After install we did a leak check of the fuel system and was all good

Simon Atwill is the Director of Sustaining Engineering that we interfaced with - he can be reached at 772-299-2375

Kit is well worth it - and is very affordable

[Tim Glubaskas]

Just a quick note to say we have removed this system from all aircraft now (13) and are quite happy with the results -

Well worth the time, effort, and cost

In the end it has basically paid for itself since we were able to sell the probes removed -

Note: Piper does not specifically tell you to modify the POH for this change but, when contacted, they say to go ahead and make the change - since the system is removed we went page by page to ensure all references to it were lined out

[chester111]

any one no where to get kit # 88539
Thanks chester