What makes the capacitance fluid quantity indicating system more accurate than mechanical types?

The capacitance fluid quantity indicating system is designed to measure the dielectric constant of the fuel, which is largely unaffected by changes in temperature and other environmental conditions. This capability leads to a more accurate measurement of fluid levels compared to mechanical systems, which often rely on floats and moving parts that may become inaccurate over time due to wear and tear or other mechanical failures.

While measuring by weight instead of volume has its advantages, it is important to note that capacitance systems generally measure the dielectric constant, which can correlate to the volume of fluid in the tank. Thus, direct weight measurements are not typically a function of capacitance systems and don’t inherently reflect why capacitance systems are more accurate.

The real advantage of capacitance systems lies in their ability to provide consistent readings without being influenced by temperature fluctuations or fuel density changes, unlike mechanical systems, which can be significantly affected by these variables. This inherent precision adds to the reliability of capacitance systems for indicating fuel quantities in aircraft applications.