Fuel level control system and method

An aircraft fuel level control system, comprising:

• an upper fuel tank;
• a lower fuel tank disposed below the upper fuel tank;
• a fuel transfer line fluidly connecting the upper fuel tank and the lower fuel tank, the fuel transfer line having an upper fuel transfer line outlet in the lower fuel tank with an upper line outlet valve for opening and closing the upper fuel transfer line outlet and having a lower fuel transfer line outlet in the lower fuel tank with a lower line outlet valve for opening and closing the lower fuel transfer line outlet;
• and
• a control shutoff valve fluidly disposed between the upper fuel transfer line outlet and the upper fuel tank.

A fuel level control method for an aircraft, comprising:

• providing an upper tank for storing fuel;
• providing a lower tank for storing fuel that is disposed below the upper tank, the lower tank fluidly connected to the upper tank by a fuel transfer line;
• directing fuel from the upper tank to the lower tank through the fuel transfer line via an upper fuel transfer line outlet having an upper line outlet valve;
• directing fuel from the upper tank to the lower tank through the fuel transfer line via a lower fuel transfer line outlet having a lower line outlet valve;
• and
• selectively closing a control shutoff valve fluidly disposed on the fuel transfer line to selectively limit flow through the fuel transfer line.