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Airplane ground plugs

Old 02-13-2019, 08:29 AM
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Default Airplane ground plugs

I figure someone here knows the answer:

I need a "Remove Before Flight" type of plug for open fuel vent tubes. In particular, these tubes are about 5/8" in diameter. I envision some sort of rubber/squishy marble-sized ball with a visible flag.

Yes, we could probably make it ourself, but figure someone has good one on the market that won't have the flag come off and leave the ball inside the vent tube... which I'm sure will happen at some point if I make it.

Standing by...
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Old 02-13-2019, 08:55 AM
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Opps, I just saw you want one to buy, disregard. But if you can't find anything, this is really easy and works great!

I use actual corks (real cork or rubber) from a local hardware store. A good store will have various sizes ranging from 1 inch down to 1/8 inch. Mine are 1/8 inch, and too small to fashion a lanyard, but are painted yellow (or red if like) and I count them before I go. Keep nicely in pill bottle.

If you went that route, a 5/8 inch cork would be big enough to drill a hole down the middle, and use shoe lace (or 550 cord if you are military) through it, with a knot and glue to lanyard up. The lace threaded through the smaller end with knot keeping it from going all the way through; glue for extra security.

Probably other ways, but an idea to consider. My problem is spiders building mud nests in fuel drains and vents; frustrating!
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Old 02-13-2019, 09:04 AM
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That is an excellent and brilliantly simple idea. And I believe it won't result in a plug stuck in the tube where it will be a pain to get it out. We will try it. Thank you!
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Old 02-13-2019, 09:15 AM
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You bet! I hope it works out to be a good fit for you
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Old 02-13-2019, 09:31 AM
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Don't use anything frangible in a vent, static port, or other location where debris ought not be.

A cork is frangible.
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Old 02-13-2019, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnBurke View Post
Don't use anything frangible in a vent, static port, or other location where debris ought not be.

A cork is frangible.
Good point. I'm going to go look for those rubber/silicon stoppers that he mentioned, and try to find some varied sizes.
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Old 02-13-2019, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnBurke View Post
Don't use anything frangible in a vent, static port, or other location where debris ought not be.

A cork is frangible.
x2
.....
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Old 02-13-2019, 02:46 PM
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Rubber wine-stopper; use the pouring-hole/spout to snake the cable for the “remove” flag.
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