Fuel Tank Selector Question
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
- JackHart
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:51 am
Fuel Tank Selector Question
Hello-
I have a "52" 170B that I have just flown across the country on the coolest trip I ever been on.
But, why does the fuel selector valve have to be on left or right tank above 5000" and on both below 5000"?
Thanks for educating a new 170B owner,
Jack
I have a "52" 170B that I have just flown across the country on the coolest trip I ever been on.
But, why does the fuel selector valve have to be on left or right tank above 5000" and on both below 5000"?
Thanks for educating a new 170B owner,
Jack
Jack
- Bruce Fenstermacher
- Posts: 10423
- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 11:24 am
- GAHorn
- Posts: 21295
- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm
See AD 72-07-02 or read:N9149A wrote:OK Jack, where does it say that?
http://cessna170.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... above+5000
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.

- Bruce Fenstermacher
- Posts: 10423
- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 11:24 am
I remember disussing this before but didn't remember the details other than it didn't apply to the 170.
I guess a more appropriate response would have been to do a search then reply but I was more curious where Jack saw this and then reviewed a fresh new old copy of a '52 to '55 170 owners manual reprinted by Cessna that Buck Franke found and bought for me. I still owe you for the book Buck.
Anyway I got lazy and went to sleep rather than search further.
I guess a more appropriate response would have been to do a search then reply but I was more curious where Jack saw this and then reviewed a fresh new old copy of a '52 to '55 170 owners manual reprinted by Cessna that Buck Franke found and bought for me. I still owe you for the book Buck.
Anyway I got lazy and went to sleep rather than search further.

CAUTION - My forum posts may be worth what you paid for them!
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
- JackHart
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:51 am
Fuel Selector question
Thanks for the help on this question...on the selector valve itself, it states to use the "both" setting for under 5000' and states to use left / right tank for flights above 5000'
Jack
Jack
Jack
-
- Posts: 507
- Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2003 9:07 pm
Re: Fuel Selector question
To the best of my knowledge I don't believe that placard is required for 170's. Could be some well intentioned, but misinformed person put it on the selector.JackHart wrote:Thanks for the help on this question...on the selector valve itself, it states to use the "both" setting for under 5000' and states to use left / right tank for flights above 5000'
Jack
John
N2865C
"The only stupid question is one that wasn't asked"
N2865C
"The only stupid question is one that wasn't asked"
- JackHart
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:51 am
Fuel Selector
John,
Thanks for your insight on this issue. It was something I was not familiar with.
Jack
Thanks for your insight on this issue. It was something I was not familiar with.
Jack
Jack
- Bruce Fenstermacher
- Posts: 10423
- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 11:24 am
Jack the required placards are found in the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) and of course any subsequent ADs and or STCs applied to the aircraft.
The TCDS doesn't require the placard and as George has said the AD the did does not apply to the 170.
So the placard is there is error and should be removed.
The TCDS doesn't require the placard and as George has said the AD the did does not apply to the 170.
So the placard is there is error and should be removed.
CAUTION - My forum posts may be worth what you paid for them!
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
- JackHart
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:51 am
Fuel Selector Thanks
Bruce,
Thank you for clearing that up. I was a bit confused and appreciate your help.
Jack
N2354D
Thank you for clearing that up. I was a bit confused and appreciate your help.
Jack
N2354D
Jack
-
- Posts: 1373
- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 2:06 am
The early 172s used the same fuel selector plate/cup as the 170. Many of the aftermarket providers of those plates and of placards tend to lump the 170 & 172 together and you wind up with things that may fit physically fit both aircraft but only apply to one of them. The fuel selector you describe is for the 172.
Doug
Cessna® is a registered trademark of Textron Aviation, Inc. The International Cessna® 170 Association is an independent owners/operators association dedicated to C170 aircraft and early O-300-powered C172s. We are not affiliated with Cessna® or Textron Aviation, Inc. in any way.