Fuel dip stick C172
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: Wales
I'd go for the commercial plastic tube, for several reasons...
*** How do you measure BOTH SIDES with a piece of wood, if the first side you measure holds more than the second side, and has wetted the wood?
*** Surely the wood absorbs a lot of fuel and either smells, or is a fire hazard in the cockpit.
However if you really want to be accurate with the wooden dipper, then just compare it with your mates plastic gizmo....
btw.. I think each model 172 is different, especially the SP version.
*** How do you measure BOTH SIDES with a piece of wood, if the first side you measure holds more than the second side, and has wetted the wood?
*** Surely the wood absorbs a lot of fuel and either smells, or is a fire hazard in the cockpit.
However if you really want to be accurate with the wooden dipper, then just compare it with your mates plastic gizmo....
btw.. I think each model 172 is different, especially the SP version.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: UK
Gawd, just buy one. I bought a plastic one years ago and I'm fairly sure it can't be dropped in the tank. Stick it in the tank and put your thumb over the hole in the top. Lift it up and take the reading. Take your thumb off the top and the fuel goes back in the tank. Simples.
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Perth, WA
I second that. Of all the things to pay attention to, fuel management is a genuine imperative. There's a regulatory requirement here in Oz for the PIC to use multiple sources to establish the fuel status of the aircraft and I guess there are similar requirements world-wide. Regardless, using all the information you have in terms of dip-stick readings, fuel gauges, bowser totals and (if available) know fuel burn for the aircraft is really basic. Having and using redundant information is of course basic to verifying individual sources - such as a new or unknown dip-stick.
In the case of any light aircraft I fly regularly failure to predict, e.g. fuel needed to fill the tanks to within a couple of litres per tank, is enough to ring the alarm bells, and to cause a bit of angst while I figure out what's happened. The "that's odd" realization is important for any pilot.
In the case of any light aircraft I fly regularly failure to predict, e.g. fuel needed to fill the tanks to within a couple of litres per tank, is enough to ring the alarm bells, and to cause a bit of angst while I figure out what's happened. The "that's odd" realization is important for any pilot.
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Radlett
*** How do you measure BOTH SIDES with a piece of wood, if the first side you measure holds more than the second side, and has wetted the wood?
*** Surely the wood absorbs a lot of fuel and either smells, or is a fire hazard in the cockpit.
*** Surely the wood absorbs a lot of fuel and either smells, or is a fire hazard in the cockpit.
I've only ever used wooden ones, and never had a problem, although I do agree that you shouldn't leave the dipstick in too long if you want to get an accurate reading.
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
From: The World
Pihutze, first of all - there is no "C172" correct dip stick! You have to specify which, as a SP will have different scales from a G. Dip stick measurements, always on both(!) tanks at prefilght check, are a good way to get to know your gauges uncertainty ... Btw, the markings are not linear on most 172s. ... and do not, I repeat do not, use a wooden stick. In old times when Avgas was all mineral that was ok, but with increasing bio-!!!! it is not advisable to grow nasty bacteria and other stuff on a wooden soil. This especially applies for those with Mogas/Autofuel STC! Go for a non biological usable substrate, i.e. a PTFE or PEEK sticks.
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
From: The World
just trust the fuel guages, they are never wrong.
Joined: Jan 2008
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 650
Likes: 42
From: Canada
We know that we should operate the aircraft in accordance with the procedures specified in the Flight Manual. Has anyone ever seen a modern Flight Manual which states that the pilot should use a dipstick to determine fuel quantity?
A Cessna or Piper wheelplane on the ramp is pretty straight forward, but an amphibious high wing plane will require a tall ladder, and a floating floatplane is a real challenge.
Fuel quantity indication is required by the type design, and therefore must work. If the pilot suspects it is not working, the aircraft is not airworthy. Now, how the pilot "suspects" the accuracy of the fuel quantity indicating system could take us back to the use of dip sticks.
Happily, some types, like my Teal, have the dip stick permanently installed in the tank, and easily visible through the filler neck...
A Cessna or Piper wheelplane on the ramp is pretty straight forward, but an amphibious high wing plane will require a tall ladder, and a floating floatplane is a real challenge.
Fuel quantity indication is required by the type design, and therefore must work. If the pilot suspects it is not working, the aircraft is not airworthy. Now, how the pilot "suspects" the accuracy of the fuel quantity indicating system could take us back to the use of dip sticks.
Happily, some types, like my Teal, have the dip stick permanently installed in the tank, and easily visible through the filler neck...
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 2
From: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
A Cessna or Piper wheelplane on the ramp is pretty straight forward
I've always found estimating the fuel burn a useful exercise. I can get it down to a litre or so error an hour on the stuff I fly. Just fill say a 28 to tabs, do a flight out somewhere an hour or so away and come back. Say to your mate 'We have used x litres of fuel' and fill it back up to tabs. Then either look smug or stupid; you soon start getting it right.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 120
Likes: 3
From: North of Antarctica
I know what the OP was and have read the responses to it and it strikes me that someone has little experience of measuring fuel here.
The most sensible option would of course be upright tanks with capacitance gauges rather than flat and float to make dipsticks (and dipsticks) obsolete.
This not being the case in a 172 however it is probably worth buying a plastic dipstick for the same price as a few minutes in the air and then measure, mark, chisel and sand a stick until fulfilment arrives......and then of course keep wings level fore and aft and don't let it crossfeed wile dipping your stick.
The most sensible option would of course be upright tanks with capacitance gauges rather than flat and float to make dipsticks (and dipsticks) obsolete.
This not being the case in a 172 however it is probably worth buying a plastic dipstick for the same price as a few minutes in the air and then measure, mark, chisel and sand a stick until fulfilment arrives......and then of course keep wings level fore and aft and don't let it crossfeed wile dipping your stick.
