Flight Training - August 2021 - 13

ASI TIPS
BY ALICIA HERRON
FAULTY ASSUMPTIONS
AVOIDING FUEL EXHAUSTION
* Understand how
and when to use boost
pumps, auxiliary tanks,
and fuel transfer
pumps, and switch
tanks before reaching
pattern altitude.
* Use a timer to remind
you to switch tanks
during flight.
If you do become
low on fuel, land as
soon as possible, and if
you get close to running
out, don't be shy or
embarrassed-declare
a fuel emergency with
ATC to get priority
handling.
These tips may
AH, YES, WEIGHT AND BALANCE: THE
juggling act of getting what we want into
the airplane and the performance we need
out of it, all while staying within a tidy and
fixed envelope. And when required gear
(suitcases, survival kit) and passengers are
non-negotiable, pilots often turn to fuel to
come out below gross. But sometimes, we
push it too far-fuel exhaustion accidents
continue to occur every year.
Of all the factors that lead to aircraft
accidents, fuel is one of the easiest to
address. If you know your fuel system,
verify that you have the right type and
quantity of fuel, lean your engine properly,
and stay alert to changing conditions,
the odds of a fuel-related incident are
SAFETY TIP
Depending on your flight school's refueling methods, it's possible that you will never
have to learn how to use a self-serve fuel pump before the checkride. This would be a
mistake! Make sure your CFI teaches you how to refuel on your own. Planning to only fly
to places with full-service fuel available isn't realistic, and if (when) you need to divert
one day, you'll be more prepared knowing you can handle refueling by yourself, and less
likely to push your fuel reserves.
airsafetyinstitute.org/spotlight/fuelmanagement
virtually nonexistent. Here are some tips
to avoid fuel exhaustion:
* Be present every time your aircraft is
fueled. Verify fuel grade, quantity, and
tanks to be filled.
* Check for water or contaminants.
* Secure fuel caps after you check the
tank and double-check them before
engine start.
* Determine available fuel in hours and
minutes instead of gallons and pounds,
and plan to land with at least an hour of
usable fuel.
* Lean the mixture to achieve the best
performance, range, and endurance.
* Recalculate range and endurance
hourly to maintain adequate reserves.
seem overly basic,
but even experienced
pilots make mistakes,
sometimes with severe consequences.
In the early morning light on April 22,
2019, the pilot of a Beechcraft Baron 58
preflighted his aircraft at West Houston
Airport in Texas, before heading to the
terminal to greet his five passengers.
The flight was planned to take just over
one hour. But the pilot's mistaken belief
about existing onboard fuel proved
disastrous.
Join the AOPA Air Safety Institute as
we follow the Baron's flight and learn how
an unfortunate chain of events ultimately
led to tragedy.
airsafetyinstitute.org/ACS/
FaultyAssumptions
AOPA.ORG/FT
13

http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/ACS/faultyassumptions http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/ACS/faultyassumptions http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org/spotlight/fuelmanagement http://www.AOPA.ORG/FT

Flight Training - August 2021

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