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Old 23rd November 2005 | 13:47
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G SXTY

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From: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
I’ve never had an actual engine failure, but I have had major – major – fuel scare at night in a C150. In the Florida Everglades, of all places.

The forced landing brief was short and sweet – pitch for best glide, declare mayday, point into wind and try and find somewhere near some lights. Not much more you can say – the prospect of gliding into the swamp in the wee small hours is a bit of a conversation killer.

To cut a long story short, we did eventually make it to a runway, but it was a very nasty experience (although an excellent cure for constipation).

Daytime VMC, I’d feel quite confident about getting into a field without damaging myself, assuming a little good luck. IMHO, pulling off the same result at night needs a huge dose of good luck, and that’s not a risk I want to inflict on myself, never mind passengers.
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