Bad fuel gauges?

C J Campbell wrote in
news:2008022418524316807-christophercampbell@hotmailcom:

On 2008-02-24 17:29:14 -0800, Jay Maynard
said:


I would have to see some actual evidence that half the GA fleet should
be grounded for inaccurate fuel gauges. In fact, I doubt if they are
nearly as inaccurate as you claim them to be. Blind belief in an
aviation legend is not real world experience.

Yes, I know fuel gauges can be inaccurate. But that does not mean that
they are always inaccurate, that they are totally unusable, or that
they only have to be accurate when they are empty. Assertions like
that are simply nonsense.

Airplane fuel gauges are generally accurate. Yes, they can be thrown
off by lack of maintenance, unusual attitudes, turbulence, and
malfunction. But those are the exceptions, not the rule. Flying with
malfunctioning fuel gauges can get your ticket pulled, whether you
think that is fair or not. Flying with a malfunctioning fuel gauge
simply because you think that is normal or that it is inaccurate
anyway is simply an excuse for poor piloting, poor maintenance, and
general laziness.

I'd agree with al of this except the part that says they're generally
reliable. I've seen lots of them that aren't. Lots and lots!

Bertie