Running out of fuel (again)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: UK,Twighlight Zone
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I had a similar close call in my Cessna a couple of years ago when i first got it. I was on an IFR flight with a let down at Cambridge ona rrival at Cambridge the cloud base was below minimums and we were held on the hold longer than expected. It led to a very nervous approach as according to my fuel calcs we were on fumes and of course the guages only indicated correctly empty.
Following that event 2 new fuel guages and senders were fitted which have proven to be 100% accurate and a Fuel Scan 450 fuel computer linked to the GPS was also fitted. I now know exactly the fuel flow, range, efficency and remaining fuel at waypoint.
It also proved that the POH was incorrect as well and we had been doing the fuel calcs incorrectly. The fuel scan has proven itself of several hundred hours of use to be 100% accurate and has increased our level of comfort on long trips.
I always plan a 1hr reserve and if the prevailing weather indicates that this is being erroded by the FS450 I start looking at alternates for a refuel long before it would become an issue.
Following that event 2 new fuel guages and senders were fitted which have proven to be 100% accurate and a Fuel Scan 450 fuel computer linked to the GPS was also fitted. I now know exactly the fuel flow, range, efficency and remaining fuel at waypoint.
It also proved that the POH was incorrect as well and we had been doing the fuel calcs incorrectly. The fuel scan has proven itself of several hundred hours of use to be 100% accurate and has increased our level of comfort on long trips.
I always plan a 1hr reserve and if the prevailing weather indicates that this is being erroded by the FS450 I start looking at alternates for a refuel long before it would become an issue.
