Dipstick for 172RG Cutlass

Nathan N

Nathan N

Filing Flight Plan
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Nov 21, 2018
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Nathan
I can’t find a dipstick for a 172RG Cutlass for the life of me. I don’t want to create one unless I really need to.

Does anyone happen to know where I could purchase one online?

Thanks!
 
Shouldn't one of these work? I'd be surprised the gear changes the fuel tanks. [But I've been wrong before]

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/cessnafuelstik.php

You said you don't want to roll your own, but a highly calibrated wooden dowel is unlikely to crack or blow a seal. Losing them is no biggie since you already have some leftover dowel and the measurements.

I'll have to post a picture of my highly calibrated fuel stick. It's a ruler, and it broke, but not in the measurement area so it still works.

[Note to Ravioli -- buy some doweling]
 
My favorite pasta,

Thanks for your reply.

I don’t know, will it? Would any dip stick measuring above 33 gallons work successfully? My tank’s compacicity is 66 gallons.
 
Nathan N said:
My tank’s compacicity is 66 gallons.
Click to expand...

Really? You have a 172 with 132 gallon fuel compacicity? *there are 2 tanks you know*

So with an extra 462# of fuel, how does that thing fly?

I think a dip stick is the last of your issues.
 
Hah! If only :)

For everything combined, pal!

Happy thanksgiving!
 
Serious answer: Ask your A&P which you should use. They'll know the closest match to the tanks in your 172. There are variations in tanks between models. Some have more or less sump points, and where the fuel cap is can have different distances.

Rolling your own is actually best so you know it's accurate. It just takes a while.

Drain the tank
Fill to known max (I think you said 33)
Mark the stick
Drain 8 - mark the stick at 25 (112# under full fuel is good from many flights)
The drain in 5 gals and mark it till your down to unusable fuel.

It's worth the time.
 
I think that’s may be my only option...

Thanks for taking the time to post... I’ll give it a whirl!

Do you have a photo of yours?
 
I wonder how they come to the decision as to what model tank to market their fuel sticks. Frankly I'd pay a vendor for their time in coming up with the markings, or provide the equivalent values on a universal pipette. Defueling a 40 gallon leaded fuel tank in 1 gallon increments? Ain't nobody got time for dat. It would be a good double integration problem to figure out the height of the liquid. I tossed my copy of MatLab a long time ago. lol
 
AggieMike88 said:
FuelStik.com they do have one for Cardinals
Click to expand...

He's looking for his Cutlass. Totally different issue.

hindsight2020 said:
Defueling a 40 gallon leaded fuel tank in 1 gallon increments? Ain't nobody got time for dat.
Click to expand...

The time expended is worth it. Did it for a [not a cutlass] when new fuel gauge(s) was installed. (single gauge shows both tanks and both were measured down)
 
It's probably definitely worth it.
One of the 172 rentals I fly has a stick, and it is totally off, by like 5 gallons.
The others don't even have them.
Funny enough, the Cutlass that I rent does. (no I'm not stealing it for you) ;)
 
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Ravioli said:
Serious answer: Ask your A&P which you should use. They'll know the closest match to the tanks in your 172. There are variations in tanks between models. Some have more or less sump points, and where the fuel cap is can have different distances.

Rolling your own is actually best so you know it's accurate. It just takes a while.

Drain the tank
Fill to known max (I think you said 33)
Mark the stick
Drain 8 - mark the stick at 25 (112# under full fuel is good from many flights)
The drain in 5 gals and mark it till your down to unusable fuel.

It's worth the time.
Click to expand...
Man you work way too hard for a dipstick. Lazy man's version (works for any aircraft):
Begin with random amount of fuel in tank. Dip a new paint stirring stick. Make a mark with a sharpie pen. Fill tank.
Subtract: tank capacity - amount of gas you just pumped = amount that was in the tank. Write that number next to the mark you made.

Make a point of doing that with various amounts of fuel showing on the gauge. After 5-6 flights you'll have a very accurate dipstick. It's even quicker on planes that don't have a "both" position (or have lousy cross feed) since you'll collect two data points every stop.
 
aftCG said:
Man you work way too hard for a dipstick. Lazy man's version (works for any aircraft):
Begin with random amount of fuel in tank. Dip a new paint stirring stick. Make a mark with a sharpie pen. Fill tank.
Subtract: tank capacity - amount of gas you just pumped = amount that was in the tank. Write that number next to the mark you made.

Make a point of doing that with various amounts of fuel showing on the gauge. After 5-6 flights you'll have a very accurate dipstick. It's even quicker on planes that don't have a "both" position (or have lousy cross feed) since you'll collect two data points every stop.
Click to expand...

I’d like to work the least and just purchase one, hehe. But it seems this is my only option.

Good idea! Thanks
 
Skyrys62 said:
It's probably definitely worth it.
One of the 172 rentals I fly has a stick, and it is totally off, by like 5 gallons.
The others don't even have them.
Funny enough, the Cutlass that I rent does. (no I'm not stealing it for you) ;)
Click to expand...
Everyone has a price :D Just blame it on the previous renter!
 
Is it really necessary? The 172RG has a tab (filler neck) allowing an accurate partial fuel load.
 
Nathan N said:
Everyone has a price :D Just blame it on the previous renter!
Click to expand...

1. Lay fuel stick next to tape measure with markings on both showing.
2. Take Picture.
3. Post pic here.
4. Mark universal stick accordingly.
5. PROFIT!!
 
With our club rules requiring that you fill the tanks if you flew more than an hour, it's easy. Look in the filler openings with the caps removed. If full, fly. If not, get it filled and then fly. The 172N with long range tanks has about 6 hours of fuel on board with full tanks. After 3 hours I need to visit the little boy's room, so I gas up again and go fly some more. :p
 
Ghery said:
With our club rules requiring that you fill the tanks if you flew more than an hour, it's easy. Look in the filler openings with the caps removed. If full, fly. If not, get it filled and then fly. The 172N with long range tanks has about 6 hours of fuel on board with full tanks. After 3 hours I need to visit the little boy's room, so I gas up again and go fly some more. :p
Click to expand...
You lose some utility that way if you need payload. If the tanks are full...
 
I totally thought this was about the oil dipstick.

Skyrys62 said:
...One of the 172 rentals I fly has a stick, and it is totally off, by like 5 gallons....
Click to expand...

The R/S models are a little tricky to dip the fuel tanks. Besides the fact that dip sticks calibrated for earlier models are not compatible, you have to position the stick behind the extra rib in those tanks. If you don't the reading will be way off. Its also pretty easy to drop the dang thang in the tank if you're not careful.
 
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Ravioli said:
Serious answer: Ask your A&P which you should use. They'll know the closest match to the tanks in your 172. There are variations in tanks between models. Some have more or less sump points, and where the fuel cap is can have different distances.

Rolling your own is actually best so you know it's accurate. It just takes a while.

Drain the tank
Fill to known max (I think you said 33)
Mark the stick
Drain 8 - mark the stick at 25 (112# under full fuel is good from many flights)
The drain in 5 gals and mark it till your down to unusable fuel.

It's worth the time.
Click to expand...

Drain usable fuel in your normal parked attitude. Get a paint stir stick from Lowe's. Add 5 gallons, mark the stick. Do the same on the other side to verify they're the same ( they have been with my own planes), then repeat as many times at as many increments as you wish. I've got sticks for small tires, big tires, and floats. Made for my planes on the gear they're using. My fuel stick is so accurate I can set my FS-450 by it. It's my most trusted fuel gauge.
 
Greg Bockelman said:
You lose some utility that way if you need payload. If the tanks are full...
Click to expand...

True enough. The rule is there so that a member doesn't come to the hangar expecting to fly and finds the tanks way low and has to "waste" time going to the FBO to fill up first. Fortunately, this hasn't been an issue (payload) in the 18 years I've been a member of the club.
 
wilkersk said:
If you don't the reading will be way off. Its also pretty easy to drop the dang thang in the tank if you're not careful.
Click to expand...
drill a little hole in it and tie a cord on. Throw it around your wrist before you check your tanks
 
Nathan N said:
My favorite pasta,

Thanks for your reply.

I don’t know, will it? Would any dip stick measuring above 33 gallons work successfully? My tank’s compacicity is 66 gallons.
Click to expand...
upload_2018-12-2_20-5-13.gif
 
Nathan N said:
I can’t find a dipstick for a 172RG Cutlass for the life of me. I don’t want to create one unless I really need to.

Does anyone happen to know where I could purchase one online?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I purchased a universal fuel stick.
Come with a table that you fill.
Works great on my 1980 172rg. If you need a copy of the table i can email to you.
 
Wpons said:
I purchased a universal fuel stick.
Come with a table that you fill.
Works great on my 1980 172rg. If you need a copy of the table i can email to you.
Click to expand...
Fuelstick.com?
 
The table is specific to a cutlass 172RG, yea?
 
Nathan N said:
The table is specific to a cutlass 172RG, yea?
Click to expand...

12" 30
11" 27 1/2
10" 25
9" 22 1/2
8" 20
7" 17 1/2
6" 15
5" 12 1/2
4" 10
3" 7 1/2
2" 5
1" 2 1/2

Note.: This was done on my airplane 172RG , 1980, I cannot ensure it will be the same on yours.
on mine it was done from complete empty tanks and filled by the gallon.
Hope it help you build you own.
 
Wpons said:
12" 30
11" 27 1/2
10" 25
9" 22 1/2
8" 20
7" 17 1/2
6" 15
5" 12 1/2
4" 10
3" 7 1/2
2" 5
1" 2 1/2

Note.: This was done on my airplane 172RG , 1980, I cannot ensure it will be the same on yours.
on mine it was done from complete empty tanks and filled by the gallon.
Hope it help you build you own.
Click to expand...

Are you sure this is correct?

I don't think our tank is 12" deep.

Even a cantilevered wing like the 210 and cardinal are only about 10”. A strutted wing is not as thick so it should only be 8 inches or so.

Thank you!
 
Nathan N said:
Are you sure this is correct?

I don't think our tank is 12" deep.

Even a cantilevered wing like the 210 and cardinal are only about 10”. A strutted wing is not as thick so it should only be 8 inches or so.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Using the universal fuel stick, is dead on.
Maybe is not inches on the fuel stick and it should be treated as units.
Tomorow ill visit the airport and will verify for you.
 
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