What type of fuel pump system is used on a Cessna 172?

The fuel pump system used on a Cessna 172 is a combination of an electric auxiliary fuel pump and an engine-driven fuel pump. This design enhances safety and reliability in fuel delivery to the engine.

The engine-driven fuel pump operates primarily during normal flight conditions, ensuring a steady supply of fuel directly from the tanks to the engine. It relies on the engine's motion, which provides a consistent flow of fuel as long as the engine is running.

The electric auxiliary fuel pump serves as a backup system and has multiple functions. It can help prime the fuel system during engine start-up, particularly in situations where the engine-driven pump may not provide sufficient pressure. The electric pump can also serve to maintain fuel flow during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing, or in case of failure of the engine-driven pump.

This dual system provides redundancy, which is crucial in aviation. It ensures that if one pump fails or is operating at a suboptimal level, the other can take over, which enhances safety by minimizing the risk of fuel starvation.

The other options do not accurately describe the fuel system used in the Cessna 172; for instance, relying solely on a mechanical pump or a gravity-fed system does not provide the same