Section 7
AIRPLANE & SYSTEMS DESCRIPTIONS
100 SERIES
Systems
ELECTRIC FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS
Fuel quantity is measured in each tank by two capacitive-type fuel level
probes, one at the inboard and one at the outboard portion of the tanks. The
probes do not have any moving parts and, therefore, do not have any of
the failure mechanisms of a resistive type fuel level sensor. Fuel quantity is
displayed on each Engine Indicating Crew Alert System (EICAS) page. The
indicator on the default EICAS page shows a horizontal gage presenting
left and right fuel quantity. The SYSTEM and FUEL EICAS pages show the
fuel quantity in pounds as digits. When an individual tank quantity reaches
175 pounds or less, the title, pointer and digits become amber in color. If
the fuel quantity is less than 10 pounds the title, pointer and digits ash red.
Otherwise, the title, and pointer are white and the digits are green.
NOTE: While capacitive-type fuel systems have been the industry standard
for several decades, it remains critically important for operators to be aware of
system limitations associated with their use. Capacitive-type fuel systems are
affected by a variety of environmental factors. Fuel density variations alone
can lead to signicant effects. For example a wing tank with full fuel at -40°C
may contain as much as 180 pounds more usable fuel than a full wing tank at
50°C. Such density variation is not reected in the indicated fuel quantity. Other
environmental factors can further affect the indicated fuel quantity.
For this and other reasons, it is imperative that operators perform thorough
preight planning to verify the quantity of fuel prior to departure, and maintain
a suitable fuel reserve on every ight. The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical
Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25A) provides the following pilot guidance concerning
fuel indicators:
Fuel Gauges
The fuel quantity gauges indicate the amount of fuel measured by a
sensing unit in each fuel tank and is displayed in gallons or pounds.
Aircraft certication rules require accuracy in fuel gauges only when they
read “empty.” Any reading other than “empty” should be veried. Do not
depend solely on the accuracy of the fuel quantity gauges. Always visually
check the fuel level in each tank during the preight inspection, and then
compare it with the corresponding fuel quantity indication.
To aid the pilot in verifying fuel quantity the KODIAK 100 is equipped with
under-wing magnetic gauges, which allow direct measurement of fuel levels
up to approximately 75 gallons (500 lb) in each wing. In addition, a qualied,
calibrated fuel pipette can be inserted through the outboard ller port to take
direct measurements of fuel levels greater than 75 gallons (500 lb).
The KODIAK 100 also provides pilots with a fuel totalizer function, which is
driven by the fuel ow meter. Properly used, the fuel totalizer can provide even
more accurate total fuel quantity indication than the capacitive fuel indicators,
as it is relatively immune to water or fuel contamination and is less affected by
temperature changes. However, the fuel totalizer requires proper manual entry
of the initial fuel quantity in order to provide accurate indication. Moreover, the
totalizer cannot be used to assess wing imbalance.
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