Fuel Safety

[Ron Spiker]

Most pilots have either heard of someone running out of fuel or have done it themselves. Even though fuel gauges in aircraft are supposed to be accurate, why take a chance of a sticking needle or other inaccuracy? Prior to each flight you should use a dip stick to dip your fuel tank to determine exactly how much fuel is in the aircraft. If you don't have a pre-calibrated dip stick to copy from, one can easily be made. Start with a 3' or so piece of small dial rod (1/4" will do). You will need to drain your fuel initially. Then, add in a measured amount of fuel, such as 5 gallons. Wait for several minutes for the fuel to settle, then carefully insert the dip stick then remove and mark the fuel line on the stick. You should also mark how far you are inserting the stick, so it can be inserted the same distance each time. Repeat this process, adding a measured x gallons (like 5) each time until topped off. You can permanently mark the dip stick with a permanent marker, safety wire, scoring a ring around the stick, etc., and cut the stick to length once finished (from the top!). Use caution when inserting the stick each time, as the fuel tanks are rubber bladders, and you don't want to cause damage to them. Carry the dip stick in the storage compartment, so before and after each fueling you can verify the accuracy. Why take a chance? It takes only a few extra seconds during your preflight to ensure you have the amount of fuel the gauge is reporting.

[Steve Chenoweth]

Excellent topic and advice. The fuel guage on my B-2B is not very accurate. Talking to a long time Brantly A&P, Harold Jenkins, he says that few of them on the Brantlys are very accurate.

[N2285U]

My guage works 100%; however, I never fly without a full tank of gas. The only time you have too much gas in a helicopter is when you are on fire.