Hi Tom,

Agreed,

Known Quantity - ("Mental Math" + "I see it isn't leaking on the ground" + visual looks about right + taking off on an second or later leg of the day after a quick turn) = Known Quantity (at least sufficient for planning).

It seems like such a nit, but I just didn't want our youngsters thinking "Known Quantity" - "Current Gauge Reading" = "Known Quantity."  Looks like someone else has picked up on at least one failure mode of these gauges due to water and/or gasahol.

Cheers,

Bill

mikeeasley wrote:

Bill,

 

I saw a quote the other day on a T-shirt in a store:

 

"Confidence is the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation."

 

I definitely think it applies here.  I think we are on the same page.  Just looking at the fuel gages is taking additional risk that's not necessary.  I would say that about 20% of my flights take place with less than full fuel at takeoff.  On most of those partially fueled flights, I have done the "mental math" to confirm what's left in the tanks based on fuel flow and time, and I compare that to the fuel quantity gages.  Buy I must admit a few times where my plane has been sitting in the hangar for a while, and I don't remember exactly what the previous flight fuel situation was, and I just look in the tanks, trust the fuel quantity gages and go fly.

 

Your points are well taken.

 

Mike