It takes a while to get to know the gauges and fuel idiosyncrasies of a new aircraft. When I got my old crate, I was nervous to fly more than 3hrs even though she has 5-7hrs endurance, depending on altitude and power setting. The gauges are not very accurate, but turned out to at least be consistent.
Flew back from Chicago to LA again a few weeks ago and had a couple of 4hr legs, which now feels rather comfortable. Last leg into LA was the most uncomfortable, not because of fuel, but because the sun had set and I still had a good hour over some very high mountains to do. Scares the crap out of me flying over pitch black mountains at night. When I finally saw the lights of Palm Springs spread out in front of me, it was like I'd been born again.
Won't be doing much night mountain flying in the future, I think. Not worth the stress. Unless it's perhaps a completely clear moonlit night. Maybe then.
Last edited by AdamFrisch; 13th Nov 2011 at 08:49.