Originally Posted by
KRviator
FWIW, my fuel management strategy is based on laziness with a dose of forgetfulness. Takeoff and climb on one tank. Once at TOC, switch to the other tank and fly for 165 minutes. At the 160 minute mark, monitor fuel pressure, have my hand on or near the fuel valve and get ready to switch. When pressure drops and engine stumbles, change tanks. No balancing the tanks, no "fly 30 minutes and swap over" while trying to remember what level is in what tank. I change once and that's it. YMMV - but I'd like to think such a method would have avoided this.
Is this in a PA-28 - or something else? Maybe your aircraft has aileron trim??
One reason I was taught, still use and have no issue with "fly 30 minutes and swap over" in the Cherokees/Archers/Warriors/Arrows I get to play with is that some of these aircraft (especially the Hershey bar models) are especially sensitive to lateral trim and you really notice it on the controls if you don't switch over regularly. It's just a comfort thing.