When it comes to your aircraft fuel boost pump, it’s important to pay attention to upkeep and maintenance to avoid in-air issues or emergencies. In this article, we’re going to dive into what a fuel boost pump is, as well as how you can keep your Dukes, Weldon, and Airborne fuel boost pump up to date on maintenance and well taken care of.
What is a Fuel Boost Pump?
Fuel systems serve an important purpose on your aircraft. An aircraft fuel system has a single purpose – to deliver a steady flow of fuel from the tanks to the engine. Aircraft fuel system parts must be well-maintained to ensure proper operation.
Fuel boost pumps, also known as auxiliary fuel pumps, maintain positive fuel pressure in fuel lines between the tanks and the engine-driven pump during startup, taxiing, takeoff, landing and while performing manuevers.
Why Do You Need to Maintain Your Fuel Boost Pump?
The most important reason to keep an eye on your Fuel Boost Pump is safety. While the Fuel Boost Pump is used to start your engine, it also serves as an emergency back up Fuel Pump in the event your Engine Driven Fuel Pump fails. We recommend checking your Fuel Pump frequently for leaks, damage and operation. It is good practice to overhaul or replace your Fuel Boost Pump every 10 years or at engine overhaul.
According to Aviation Safety, “most fuel-system accidents result from poor planning or failure to understand how the aircraft’s engine is supplied.” Keeping your aircraft’s fuel system maintained and being vigilant about its upkeep is the best way to avoid long-term damage and avoid safety hazards while you’re in the air.
Fuel is one of the easiest issues to address; according to AOPA, if you know your fuel system, verify you have the right type and quantity of fuel, lean your engine properly, and stay alert to changing conditions, the odds of a fuel-related incident are virtually nonexistent.
How to Maintain Your Dukes, Weldon, or Airborne Electric Fuel Boost Pump
To maintain your electric fuel boost pump, it’s important to first know what issue you’re having and how to diagnose it. Look for wear and tear, contaminants, inspect the fuel tank for damage or leaks, and check the pumps for functional operation leaks.
AAI does not do these repairs/overhauls in house, but through our exclusive distributor agreements we can help with an exchange or repair management when it comes to your Dukes, Weldon, or Airborne Electric Fuel Boost Pump. If you want to keep your unit and just need to have your fuel boost pump repaired or overhauled, we can help.
Here are a few pointers from AOPA when it comes to fuel system maintenance and management:
➡️ Be present every time your aircraft is fueled. State fuel grade, quantity, and tanks to be filled.
️️️➡️ Know what’s in your tanks – check for water or contaminants and verify they are filled with the proper fuel grade.
️️️➡️ Secure fuel caps after you check the tank.
️️️➡️ Determine available fuel in hours and minutes instead of gallons and pounds.
️️️➡️ Lean the mixture to achieve the best performance, range, and endurance.
Check out our article on Weldon fuel pumps to learn more about fuel pump maintenance.
AAI Can Help with Fuel Boost Pump Exchange or Repair Management for Dukes, Weldon, and Airborne Fuel Boost Pumps
When you can’t find the parts you need, the problems multiply. You send in your plane for routine maintenance and expect to have it back in a week. But inspections turn up several parts that need to be replaced, which could take weeks or even months. What now?
The entire process of locating, ordering, and receiving certified aircraft accessories is a huge headache.
Uncertified, untested parts are all over the internet, but do you really want to risk your safety for convenience? Certified replacement parts can take a ridiculously long time to ship – sometimes months – and the cost can be absurdly high.
Unless you shop with AAI.
We’ll help you avoid the delays and headaches, and instead get certified, safe, and tested aircraft accessories so that you can fix your aircraft and get back to flying.
1. Call AAI
2. Get a quote
3. Fix your plane and fly