CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 11
ASI MESSAGE
CHECK YOUR FUEL CAPS ONE
LAST TIME
A DISTRACTION AND
PREFLIGHT INSPECTION LESSON
BY RICHARD G. MCSPADDEN, JR.
I FLEW A SUPER CUB OVER REMOTE, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN
WITH MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT, A TRUNK FULL OF CAMPING
GEAR, AND BOTH FUEL CAPS MISSING. Both. Thankfully, the
flight ended safely at our destination with only a bruised ego,
and perhaps some shattered confidence from my son in his
primary flight instructor.
Grant and I had anticipated this trip for months. Some time
together, fleetingly precious as he matures. I launched from
Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland on a spectacular day
for "Super-Cubbin'." Ahead of schedule, I meandered across
to Morgantown Municipal Airport in West Virginia, doors
open, satellite radio piped into my headset, exploring valleys
and rivers on my way and thinking-as I so often did flying that
Super Cub-"Oh, the fortunate we, who have access to airplanes
and a spectacular view of this grand country."
I landed at Morgantown, did a combined postflight/preflight
of the airplane, checked the oil, and summoned the fuel truck.
As I typically do, I asked to fuel it myself. In the Super Cub, the
clear fuel tubes running directly out of the wing tanks serve
as fuel indicators. It's hard to see the indicators on the tank
you're refueling, so I put in what appeared to be three-quarters
full and stepped off the ladder, expecting to return to add
more. Perfect, three-quarters full. Over to the left tank, same
procedure, stepped off and peered at the indicator tubes: right
at three-quarters full. The line agent asked about the Super
Cub. As we chatted, I handed him the hose, hung the ladder
on the back of the truck, recoiled the static discharge line, and
walked to the FBO lounge to await Grant.
This seemed an excellent flight to give a practical lesson in
weight and balance. So, when Grant arrived, we reviewed our
flight plan and dwelled on gross weight and fuel required.
He drew the same conclusion as I, we should go with threequarters fuel. We walked to the airplane, and I showed him
the fuel gauges. After he climbed into the back seat, I gave the
airplane a final, big-picture look, then climbed in and cranked.
En route, Grant flew most of the leg from the back seat. It
seemed we were burning more fuel than normal; maybe I
didn't quite get those tanks at three-quarters full after all. Not
an excessive difference, but noticeable-or was it? The tanks
have different indicator markings for on the ground and in
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3
CFI Notes and Letters
From the Editor : When Will I Fly Again? Taking a Focused Flight Review
Checkride Day—5 Things CFIs Should Make Sure Students Have with Them
Safety Webinars: Hone Your Skills— Be Well-Informed
ASI Message: Check Your Fuel Caps One Last Time
CFI News
CFI Tips: A Dream Come True, Safely
Checkride Checklist: DPE Answers for Students and CFIs
Accident Case Study: Lake Renegade
Chart Challenge: Are TFRs Charted?
CFI's Point of View: Professionalism—From Day One
Reality Check: Costliest Insurance Claims?
You Can Fly: Introducing the Champions
Safety Quiz: Aircraft Performance
CFI Tools: Runway Safety
Chief's Corner: The Lazy Hazy Days of Summer
ASI Safety Tip: The Rudder—It Gets No Respect!
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - CFI Notes and Letters
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 3
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - From the Editor : When Will I Fly Again? Taking a Focused Flight Review
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - Checkride Day—5 Things CFIs Should Make Sure Students Have with Them
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 6
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 7
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 8
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 9
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - Safety Webinars: Hone Your Skills— Be Well-Informed
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - ASI Message: Check Your Fuel Caps One Last Time
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 12
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - CFI News
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 14
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 15
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 16
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - CFI Tips: A Dream Come True, Safely
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 18
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 19
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - Checkride Checklist: DPE Answers for Students and CFIs
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 21
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - Accident Case Study: Lake Renegade
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 23
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - Chart Challenge: Are TFRs Charted?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - CFI's Point of View: Professionalism—From Day One
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 26
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - Reality Check: Costliest Insurance Claims?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 28
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - You Can Fly: Introducing the Champions
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - Safety Quiz: Aircraft Performance
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - CFI Tools: Runway Safety
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 32
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - Chief's Corner: The Lazy Hazy Days of Summer
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 34
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 35
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 36
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - ASI Safety Tip: The Rudder—It Gets No Respect!
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