Running dry?

Chris Colohan wrote:
2. Couldn't you calibrate
your gages by filling the tanks, going for a flight, then sticking a
ruler into the tank to see how much is left? Is running the tank dry
any more accurate or useful?

If only it were that simple!
Fuel tanks are of various shapes and sizes.
Linear measurements apply only to tanks with flat sides, tops and bottoms.
I can tell you that on some airplanes, if you look in the filler neck
and see it within an inch of the top, you can still get 10 or more
gallons into it.

"john smith" wrote in message
.. .
Chris Colohan wrote:
2. Couldn't you calibrate
your gages by filling the tanks, going for a flight, then sticking a
ruler into the tank to see how much is left? Is running the tank dry
any more accurate or useful?

If only it were that simple!
Fuel tanks are of various shapes and sizes.
Linear measurements apply only to tanks with flat sides, tops and bottoms.
I can tell you that on some airplanes, if you look in the filler neck
and see it within an inch of the top, you can still get 10 or more
gallons into it.

It also depends on how the plane is parked. A couple of degrees left or
right, nose up or down can make a huge difference. That fact also plays
havoc with the fancy fuel measuring do dads. Just like navigation, never
rely on a single method of fuel management.

john smith wrote:


I can tell you that on some airplanes, if you look in the filler neck
and see it within an inch of the top, you can still get 10 or more
gallons into it.

And in others, if it's within an inch of the top, fuel is already running out
the vent tubes.

George Patterson
Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a person to
use the Internet and he won't bother you for weeks.

John,

Fuel tanks are of various shapes and sizes.


which may even change, e.g. when a fuel bladder collapses partially.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)