What happens to the collector tank when the wing tanks are depleted during operations?

The collector tank in the T-6B plays a critical role in the aircraft's fuel system management. When the wing tanks become depleted during operations, the correct response is that fuel gravity feeds into the collector tank. This process ensures that any remaining fuel in the wing tanks is redirected, allowing the engine to continue receiving fuel even as the wing tanks reach empty.

The collector tank is designed to collect fuel from the wing tanks and helps maintain a constant fuel supply to the engine, which is essential for safe and efficient operation. The gravity feed takes advantage of the tank's position and the natural flow of fuel, ensuring there are no interruptions in the engine's fuel supply.

In contrast, if the collector tank were to remain empty or be disconnected from the system, it would lead to fuel starvation and engine failure. Being pressurized is not the case either since the collector tank depends on gravity rather than pressure for receiving fuel from the wing tanks. Thus, the feasibility of effective fuel management through proper tank utilization highlights the importance of gravity feeding into the collector tank when the wing tanks are depleted.