Skycatcher fuel guage

[deltazulu]

Just purchased skycatcher with aprox 400 hours. White floating ball on passenger side fuel gage sticks. It will stick anywhere from top to bottom of fuel level. Any other skycatcher pilots have this problem? If so is there a fix short of replacing the gage that you know of?

[drseti]

White floating ball on passenger side fuel gage sticks.

Obviously, the previous owner's CFI taught him ot her to step on the ball.

[MrMorden]

They probably don't need to be replaced, but the ball will need to come out. It might be a material that swelled over time, or that has a little burr on it causing it to catch. Pulling the ball out and deburring and/or sanding it just a tiny bit will probably let it move freely. Since it's only happening on one side, it's probably a burr from the molding process that was not properly removed. Also, the ball is really cosmetic; in most sight tubes you can see the fuel level clearly, the tubes in my CTSW have nothing in them and are easy to read.

Getting that ball out may be simple, or a nightmare depending on how the sight tube is designed...

[Flocker]

Just purchased skycatcher with aprox 400 hours. White floating ball on passenger side fuel gage sticks. It will stick anywhere from top to bottom of fuel level. Any other skycatcher pilots have this problem? If so is there a fix short of replacing the gage that you know of?

First of all - congrats! And yes I have experienced this with the one I rent. I'm not sure what they did to fix it. I'll see if I can find out...

[Merlinspop]

Depending on how it's made, the tube could be 'pinched' at the top and bottom to prevent the ball from finding it's way elsewhere in the fuel system, so you might not be able to get to the ball itself. The maintenance manual might address it. You can also call a Cessna service center and ask them. If this is a common issue, you might want to buy a couple anyway, since spares might be hard to come by before long.

[MrMorden]

you might want to buy a couple anyway, since spares might be hard to come by before long.

Let the Skycatcher parts hoarding begin!!!

[Merlinspop]

you might want to buy a couple anyway, since spares might be hard to come by before long.

Let the Skycatcher parts hoarding begin!!!

Exactly! A whole bartering system built around C162 parts. I wont be surprised if a lot of people convert to E-LSA when parts become harder to find.

[drseti]

I'd say the move by the FAA to preclude carriage of passengers in a converted ELSA would discourage that, Bruce. But then, I've heard you can't carry a passenger in a Skycatcher anyway.

[MovingOn]

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[deltazulu]

Flocker, I would appreciate you checking with your FBO about their fix. I can see the fuel levels fine but the white ball makes it easier. As for the useful load of the C162, it truly is a personal aircraft and I only weigh 165 lbs. I new that going in so no gripe here. Plan to load it up this summer with camping gear and head to the North Forty. This is my third Cessna to own, a new 182 delivered at the factory in 1998 and sold in 2005, a 1997 purchased in 2011 and the c162. It is in Cessna's best interest to support the c162. Part of their business model has been to move you up or down as in my case. They can't do that if they don't support the product. I guess we will see. The plane is fun to fly and has decent speed with good economy. My biggest regret is not being able to punch through the clouds on an overcast day but that would be the case with most any light sport.

[MovingOn]

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[deltazulu]

MovingOn, thanks for the congrats. Have had the airplane since the end of January but only have about 15 hours in the air. Still trying to feel my way through the wind limitations. My airport has 2 runways and I have been making myself use the unfavorable choice to practice crosswind landings. So far so good. For obvious reasons ground effect in the c162 is a lot different than a 182. I live on the South Texas coast so have been dealing with wind for 20+ years of flying of which 400hrs was tailwheel. You have to pick your days to fly around here this time of year in any kind of airplane.

[MovingOn]

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[Merlinspop]

Congratulations on your purchase. I fly 4 rental SkyCatchers in Georgia and North Carolina. I have been flying over 50 years and love the SkyCatcher. Most who bad mouth it have never sat in one, much less flown one.

I'm looking forward to an opportunity to fly one, hopefully soon. Found one on the rental line at an airport much closer than I had to go to fly a SportCruiser. I've never (that I recall) bad mouthed the airplane. Just the company and some of their decisions.

Which brings up another question that I'll pose when I decide which forum is the most appropriate.

[MovingOn]

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