GA8 Airvan Dipstick

Simple but essential fuel dipstick V1.1

Like other general aviation (GA) aircraft, fuel gauges in GA aircraft can occasionally exhibit inaccuracies. Variability in aircraft attitude, acceleration, and fuel movement due to manoeuvres can result in fluctuations in the gauge readings. Furthermore, mechanical or electrical issues within the fuel gauge system can exacerbate these inaccuracies.

The GA8 Airvan, a versatile utility aircraft developed by GippsAero, is commonly equipped with dual fuel quantity indicators—one for each wing. The specific make and model of these fuel quantity gauges can differ based on the aircraft's specific configuration and any avionics updates that have been implemented. These gauges may utilise analogue or digital technology and could display fuel levels in gallons, litres, or other relevant units.

Notably, the Airvan often incorporates a JP Instruments Fuel Scan 450 Fuel Flowmeter or the EDM 700. These systems are highly regarded, although the traditional dipstick method for checking fuel levels remains a reliable option that is hard to surpass.

Introducing the elegance of semi-sophistication of dipsticks, it's a cut-down broom handle, minimalism at its finest.

Disclaimer: You should always double-check that the measurements above correspond to your air-frame fuel tank. Use at your own risk. The first segment is more like 35 litres than 25 litres, but for ease of the maths, we just call it 25 litres per mark.

There is a metal structure at the bottom of the fuel tank, you need to ensure that you place the dipstick behind this structure when viewed from the front. Too much fuel can be as bad as too little when operating off of short runways.