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Time in Your Tanks...
Finding the “time in your tanks”…
- Log accurate flight times, power settings and fuel used on each trip.
- Count flight time as startup to shutdown.
- Compute fuel consumption (per hour) after a few flights under similar operating
conditions.
- Determine usable fuel from pilot’s operating handbook (POH).
- Ensure proper conversion for units used: (imp gals to litres; US gals to litres;
pounds to litres). Conversion charts can be found in the CFS.
- Your safe flight time limit is:
Usable fuel x 3 = _____ hrs (resolve never to fly longer)
(Fuel units)/hr x 4
- In flight, compute fuel used:
(Fuel units)/hr x min flown = ______ (fuel units) used
60
- If fuel gauges do not agree with computed (fuel units) used, suspect inaccurate
readings or a loose fuel cap.
Fuel management checklist
When computing a safe flight time limit for your flight, consider:
- Trip length
- Cruise altitude
- Engine power settings
- Wind (don’t count on forecast tailwinds)
- Regulatory and company fuel reserves
- Number of passengers and load
- If actual flight time progress lags behind
planned progress you may have to land short of
destination
- Use the proper grade of fuel; colour check fuel grade when refuelling; if proper
grade unavailable, use the next higher grade. (Always refer to POH)
- Draincock check for water and fuel cleanliness
- Visually check quantity before startup, preferably using an accurate dipstick
- Know the fuel system — especially the tank selectors
- When selecting fuel tanks don’t rely on feel alone — look. Don’t reposition fuel
tank selectors just before takeoff or landing.
- Get familiar with mixture control…
Mixture control
- A proper mixture control gives:
- improved engine efficiency
- fuel economy, and longer range
- reduced maintenance costs, longer sparkplug life, less fouling
- use the engine builder’s vast experience — consult the POH
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