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Aerolab Gascolator

Another RV-10 install

Just a couple of pics of another RV-10 install using the Aerolab Filter.
I really like how easy the install is with the drill template and servicing and inspecting this filter is so easy.

available from,
https://www.flyboyaccessories.com/product-p/72rr02.htm

A big improvement over the traditional "filter in the tunnel" model from stock installs.

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Aerolabs install

Just to let you know---we've had some inquiries from our Canadian members about putting the Aerolabs gascolators in the RV10s and 14s to satisfy the MDRA requirements. We've done some 'crude' mockups---crude being the operative word--with the install in the wing roots along with shutoff valves to service the filter. Even though the 10 and 14 share a similar tank end rib for the supply and return ports(if needed for SDS/EFii systems), the fuselage bulkhead fittings or passthroughs are in different locations and require completely different plumbing.
We took our root filter package for the 10s and 14s and came up with a way to do this. We just havent done a real mock up yet, but have a pretty good idea on what it will take. More later!
Tom
 
Red Plunger is the fuel shut off

Hey Tom,
The red plunger you can see in the photo above is dual purpose.
It serves to lock the screw on filter in place. ( spring loaded )
Once the filter is removed, the plunger comes all the way down to cut off the fuel flow. So no external shut off valve is required.

The spring loaded plunger is a bit hard on your thumb to hold in while un-screwing so I just use a thin blade of .040 to hold it up while I service the filter.
A minor inconvenience compared to climbing into the tunnel of the RV-10
 
Hey Ashley----you are CORRECT!!! I tested mine and sure enough, it does stop the flow.
SO---with that revelation---we can make this easier!!
Thanks!
Tom
 
PIREPS

Anyone with one of these installed care to share your experience now that they've been flying for a few years? Thanks!
 
I have one in each wing root of my 14. Been using it for 1-1/2 years and have not had any issues with it. Very easy to remove the screen to clean. As mentioned fuel shuts off and any fuel left it the filter can be easily caught. Very nice workmanship. I purchased and extra screen and O-ring to have on hand.
 
I have been flying for over three years now with mine in a rv9a. So far it’s great, no mess checking the filter and MDRA in Canada likes them too.
 
PilotjohnS said:
Any install pics RV7/9?

Hi all,
I would like to install the Aerolab Gascolator in my new build RV9. Does anyone have pictures of an install in a RV7 or RV9?

I plan an injected engine, so would not use the standrad filter, and place this between the selector and pump.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

PilotjohnS did you end up installing this filter in your build? Fuel injected or carb?
 
This is a photo I took during assembly a couple of years ago. This is an RV-6 however the RV-7/9 are very similar in this area and you'd have no problems mounting the Aerolab here. I have a fuel injected engine and this filter is after the Andair tank selector but before the pump.

I didn't want to be maintaining any filters in my cabin (besides the smell and mess, its also cramped getting in and out) so the Aerolab provided to perfect solution for me. Maintenance and servicing has been easy. I'm very happy with this product and wouldn't hesitate to use another one if building again.
 

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I stalled one in each wing root of my -14. Unfortunately I don't believe they are available any longer.
 
Ive heard grumblings of this for seems like a year or two. Short of an email to Flyboys, Id say yes, this product is gone. Too bad. Its easy in my top5 of slick things Ive been able to install in my M2.
 
maniago said:
Ive heard grumblings of this for seems like a year or two. Short of an email to Flyboys, Id say yes, this product is gone. Too bad. Its easy in my top5 of slick things Ive been able to install in my M2.
Click to expand...
I checked with Blake ast year, and he in;t have any - and told me that the machine shop that had been making them decided they couldn’t;t make a profit and quit. Unless someone else buys the IP and figures out how to make them, what is out there is what is out there1 I was lucky to get one from someone here on VAF that had decided not to install, so I have it in the F1 project. VERY nicely made - I can see how the sales price was really low for such quality manufacturing.
 
I was fortunate to get one from Blake that was part of his last supply shipment of these. It would be nice if a manufacturer would start producing these again. I think that the price should have been double what I paid when it arrived, and I had a chance to examine and install it. The quality is that good.
 
I asked Blake a while back whether he'd find a way forward for this product. He said there's a possibility but not any time soon.

He said Aerolab asked Flyboy Accessories to produce the gascolators due to the high cost of the parts. He said doing so would not be easy and there are design changes that would need to be made.

He said other projects are a higher priority and did not elaborate on the needed design changes.
 
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FWIW... I took some in flight measurements of the skin temperature aft of the cowling (similar to where these filters are mounted), and if my memory serves correctly the skin reached 160F. It might be worth making sure these filters are offset laterally from the cowl exit to avoid heating the fuel.
 
I'm not sure who owns the IP at this point, or who wants them made, but if you're out there (echo echo echo) lets talk!

I try to keep my 4 and 5-axis CNC mills busy (between my own product runs) with contract manufacturing for several other vendors in the industry.

-Taylor
 
Tdeman said:
I'm not sure who owns the IP at this point, or who wants them made, but if you're out there (echo echo echo) lets talk!

I try to keep my 4 and 5-axis CNC mills busy (between my own product runs) with contract manufacturing for several other vendors in the industry.

-Taylor
Click to expand...
Check with Blake!
 
The original owner of the design was a guy by the name of Francesco Rizzi and he was based in Italy. I have his old email addresses if somebody needs them, assuming they still work.
 
planenutz said:
The original owner of the design was a guy by the name of Francesco Rizzi and he was based in Italy. I have his old email addresses if somebody needs them, assuming they still work.
Click to expand...
I took mine apart this morning.
MJarreau said:
Taylor,

We'd have more than a passing interest in a set....

Best of luck!
Mike
Click to expand...

MJarreau said:
Taylor,

We'd have more than a passing interest in a set....

Best of luck!
Mike
Click to expand...
I took mine apart this morning, and yes, the housing and other parts can be done. The screen, on the other hand, 'might' be a hangup. I think the screen supplier would have to be established first, with the sizes they can supply ( in quantities) . It makes no sense to me to replicate this unit, if you cant get the exact filter screen. So establishing the screen vendor, I think, would be the first step. BUT---its a viable solution for our Canadian friends who are dealing with the MDRA.
 
TS Flightlines said:
I took mine apart this morning.



I took mine apart this morning, and yes, the housing and other parts can be done. The screen, on the other hand, 'might' be a hangup. I think the screen supplier would have to be established first, with the sizes they can supply ( in quantities) . It makes no sense to me to replicate this unit, if you cant get the exact filter screen. So establishing the screen vendor, I think, would be the first step. BUT---its a viable solution for our Canadian friends who are dealing with the MDRA.
Click to expand...
I managed to pick up a couple of these gascolators, but had similar reservations about the filter screens. While the screen is washable, it would be nice to know that replacements are available.

Does anyone know who manufactured the screens? I'm hoping they are available someplace.
 
I was looking for one of these about a month ago, but sadly they were out.

If anyone has an extra one, I would be very interested....
Or if someone does start up on production, I would be happy to commit to getting one.
 
Would love to see someone make these again. I have been watching the Flyboy page for years at this point hoping the product comes back. I am in Canada and will need a gascolator on my RV-10 to make MDRA happy.
 
andrepew said:
Would love to see someone make these again. I have been watching the Flyboy page for years at this point hoping the product comes back. I am in Canada and will need a gascolator on my RV-10 to make MDRA happy.
Click to expand...
You should contact kearney. He has dealt with Transport Canada and MDRA extensively on this issue. Has lots of documentation to show that you don’t need to install a gascolator.
 
A few months ago, I started a WTB thread in the Classifieds section looking for a spare Aerolab filter screen. The post got all kinds of activity and someone posted that they were working on developing a replacement screen for the Aerolab.

Since the post was in the Classifieds, it was removed with the passage of time. I don't remember who it was that posted about developing the replacement filter screen.

Hopefully, they'll see this and post about it here.
 
Dad's RV-10 said:
A few months ago, I started a WTB thread in the Classifieds section looking for a spare Aerolab filter screen. The post got all kinds of activity and someone posted that they were working on developing a replacement screen for the Aerolab.

Since the post was in the Classifieds, it was removed with the passage of time. I don't remember who it was that posted about developing the replacement filter screen.

Hopefully, they'll see this and post about it here.
Click to expand...
I was the one with the screens! Great timing. They are presently in production and should be shipped within the week, but I have a few in hand. Deciding best way to do transactions. Send me a PM and we can work it out.
 
BrianP said:
You should contact kearney. He has dealt with Transport Canada and MDRA extensively on this issue. Has lots of documentation to show that you don’t need to install a gascolator.
Click to expand...
I believe this might be only if you have electronic fuel injection. The high volume return lines may be sufficient to mix up any water contamination. For low pressure FI or carbs, I believe you probably still need the gascolator.
 
stigaro said:
I was the one with the screens! Great timing. They are presently in production and should be shipped within the week, but I have a few in hand. Deciding best way to do transactions. Send me a PM and we can work it out.
Click to expand...
Some pictures of what you are selling would be helpful, and any other pertinent info in order to make a sale (dimensions etc etc)

That said, I'm a bit perplexed at the handwringing wrt for the need for a replacement for the metal screen. Exactly what does everyone think is going to go wrong with a metal screen? Dirty, ok, wash it. Dry it, inspect. Dont like the idea of washing it? Ok, drop it in an ultrasonic cleaner at the nearest carb shop. Apart from reinstalling it badly, or stepping on it, or some such accidental bafoonery, what exactly are we worried about here? Realistically, I'm more concerned about the orings; but those are easily bought, so really, I'm not concerned about those any more than I am the 40yr old orings in my fuel servo......

What am I missing here?
 
maniago said:
Some pictures of what you are selling would be helpful, and any other pertinent info in order to make a sale (dimensions etc etc)

That said, I'm a bit perplexed at the handwringing wrt for the need for a replacement for the metal screen. Exactly what does everyone think is going to go wrong with a metal screen? Dirty, ok, wash it. Dry it, inspect. Dont like the idea of washing it? Ok, drop it in an ultrasonic cleaner at the nearest carb shop. Apart from reinstalling it badly, or stepping on it, or some such accidental bafoonery, what exactly are we worried about here? Realistically, I'm more concerned about the orings; but those are easily bought, so really, I'm not concerned about those any more than I am the 40yr old orings in my fuel servo......

What am I missing here?
Click to expand...
That’s because you can buy replacement o-rings for your fuel servo. If I drop the filter and dent it, the screen won’t fit the o-ring seal anymore. Why would I install the Aerolab gascolator if a simple act of buffoonery will render it useless? Pretty cheap insurance policy for $25 or so.

I’m still working out the sales channel and haven’t offered them for sale yet. As for details, I had them made to be exact replacements for the Aerolab gascolator. If you have one of those, you don’t need the dimensions.
 

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stigaro said:
I believe this might be only if you have electronic fuel injection. The high volume return lines may be sufficient to mix up any water contamination. For low pressure FI or carbs, I believe you probably still need the gascolator.
Click to expand...
That could be the case but I have spoken with him recently and my understanding was that so long as you have a fuel filter and drains in the fuel tanks, it satisfies AC 549-001.
 
BrianP said:
You should contact kearney. He has dealt with Transport Canada and MDRA extensively on this issue. Has lots of documentation to show that you don’t need to install a gascolator.
Click to expand...
I've brought this up with local inspector and the long and short of it is that if I fight enough -- I can probably not install one but I am not up for that fight. I'd rather just do it and avoid the hassle. He's hung up on some form of fuel filter that is easily inspectable for large debris/sediment every preflight.
 
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Hey gang

New guy here with a small machine shop in canada.

Is there a demand for these gascolators?

Im going to make a couple for a friend but if I go through the trouble if writing the cnc programs and making models maybe I can make more.

Im not selling to the public as of yet as I'll let andre try the prototypes first then get a sellers account on this forum.

What upgrades, or changes do you want to the design?

Im guessing a better system to facilitate unscrewing the cap that's easier on the hands

Lemme know if you have one near czba that I can get some dimensions from
 
andrepew said:
I've brought this up with local inspector and the long and short of it is that if I fight enough -- I can probably not install one but I am not up for that fight. I'd rather just do it and avoid the hassle. He's hung up on some form of fuel filter that is easily inspectable for large debris/sediment every preflight.
Click to expand...

Although Transport Canada recommends a gascolator Document AC 549-001 states;

"4.6 Gascolator alternatives
  1. In some aircraft designs, installation of a ‘gascolator’ as a unit may not be possible or practical.
  2. Other means of achieving the necessary capabilities of the Fuel Strainer or Filter Assembly may be employed if, for reasons of practicality, the builder chooses to develop an alternate design that performs the same functions and meets the intent of this guidance.
  3. The builder of the aircraft should be prepared to demonstrate that whatever means are employed, an adequate supply of filtered fuel, free of water and sediment, to the engine is assured, and that there are sumps and drains that will allow the capture, detection, and removal of contaminated fuel prior to flight, with reasonable ease.
  4. Readily accessible and serviceable in-line filters of sufficient capacity, together with separate water drains at low points, may be employed.
  5. Paper filter elements are not acceptable, unless they are rated by their manufacturer for airborne aviation fuel use."
 
daddy said:
Hey gang

New guy here with a small machine shop in canada.

Is there a demand for these gascolators?

Im going to make a couple for a friend but if I go through the trouble if writing the cnc programs and making models maybe I can make more.

Im not selling to the public as of yet as I'll let andre try the prototypes first then get a sellers account on this forum.

What upgrades, or changes do you want to the design?

Im guessing a better system to facilitate unscrewing the cap that's easier on the hands

Lemme know if you have one near czba that I can get some dimensions from
Click to expand...

I think there is a demand for them. I will require a couple a some point. I imagine you are looking for one that has not been installed.
Here is a manual with some dimensions. You may have this.
 

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daddy said:
Hey gang

New guy here with a small machine shop in canada.

Is there a demand for these gascolators?

Im going to make a couple for a friend but if I go through the trouble if writing the cnc programs and making models maybe I can make more.

Im not selling to the public as of yet as I'll let andre try the prototypes first then get a sellers account on this forum.

What upgrades, or changes do you want to the design?

Im guessing a better system to facilitate unscrewing the cap that's easier on the hands

Lemme know if you have one near czba that I can get some dimensions from
Click to expand...
I’m at ZBA and can share some information. PM sent.
 
daddy said:
Hey gang

New guy here with a small machine shop in canada.

Is there a demand for these gascolators?

Im going to make a couple for a friend but if I go through the trouble if writing the cnc programs and making models maybe I can make more.

Im not selling to the public as of yet as I'll let andre try the prototypes first then get a sellers account on this forum.

What upgrades, or changes do you want to the design?

Im guessing a better system to facilitate unscrewing the cap that's easier on the hands

Lemme know if you have one near czba that I can get some dimensions from
Click to expand...
I have a nearly new one that was briefly installed but leaked (might have been user error) and we got a new one and I stored the initial unit as a spare.
I can work out getting it to you for reference (I'm also near ZBA).
Can discuss further via PM or email
Steve
 
Curious if anyone made progress in replicating this unit? Any pictures?

Before I started my -10, I thought this was a nice solution. Now that im into the build, it's not available.

A comment on the EAA homebuilding videos this week mentioned that the wing root filter solution has a lot of 90's and hence adds some restriction to the fuel flow. While i understand many people are already flying with that, it obviously works.

The gascolator seems to be a better solution...
 
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bimmer1980 said:
Curious if anyone made progress in replicating this unit? Any pictures?

Before I started my -10, I thought this was a nice solution. Now that im into the build, it's not available.

A comment on the EAA homebuilding videos this week mentioned that the wing root filter solution has a lot of it's and hence adds some restriction to the fuel flow. While i understand many people are already flying with that, it obviously works.

The gascolator seems to be a better solution...
Click to expand...
I don't think I'm really free to speak about details just yet, but you should keep an eye on the Flyboy Accessories email list in the next few weeks. Should have an interesting announcement. :cool:

(I should disclose that I'm VAF Paid advertiser)
 
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