During which scenario does the collector tank receive fuel from the wing tanks?

The collector tank in the T-6B system is designed to ensure a continuous supply of fuel to the engine during various operational scenarios. The correct answer highlights the scenario in which the collector tank receives fuel from the wing tanks specifically during ground refueling.

During ground refueling, the aircraft is connected to a fuel source, and fuel is pumped into the wing tanks. The design of the fuel system allows for fuel to flow from the wing tanks into the collector tank, which then acts as a reservoir to accommodate fuel demands when the engine is running. This ensures that there is an ample supply of fuel readily available when the aircraft is prepared for flight operations.

In contrast, during flight maneuvers, fuel is utilized differently as it flows from the collector tank to the engine, depending on the aircraft’s orientation and the fuel management system. During engine start-up, the system is primarily focused on drawing fuel from the collector tank to begin engine operation. Maintenance checks typically involve ensuring the integrity of the fuel system without actively transferring fuel from one tank to another. Therefore, ground refueling is the scenario that specifically describes the process of the collector tank receiving fuel from the wing tanks.