If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Yossarian wrote:
I understand that functional fuel gauges are required equipment for day VFR flight. Per the FARs, your gauges were functional. The only requirement is that when the tanks are empty, the gauges read empty. If they show full when the tanks are 1/4 full, that is not a problem in so far as the FARs are concerned. Repeating, the only regulatory requirement is for gauges to be accurate when the tanks are empty. That's why you should pay little attention to them at all, and do your fuel calculations with diligence. -angus |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
"ArtP" wrote in message ... Sooner or later we come to the point when the POH says switch to the fullest tank. You always know which one is fullest after you run one dry. |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
"Angus Davis" wrote in message ... Yossarian wrote: I understand that functional fuel gauges are required equipment for day VFR flight. Per the FARs, your gauges were functional. The only requirement is that when the tanks are empty, the gauges read empty. Sorry, the FARs don't say that. The FARs don't say anything about accuracy. The much misattributed FAR about them being empty just says that the E mark means zero usable. If they show full when the tanks are 1/4 full, that is not a problem in so far as the FARs are concerned. 91.205 says you must have operational guages. In this case the guage is NOT operating the way it was designed. If the thing is really bouncing between 0 and Full on the ground there is something seriously wrong. Not only is it hardly legal, I'd really question what was going on. Repeating, the only regulatory requirement is for gauges to be accurate when the tanks are empty. Repeating, you are wrong. That's why you should pay little attention to them at all, and do your fuel calculations with diligence. Yeah and I have had two close friends who have put airplanes into off airport landings because they decided not to look at the gauges. You should take the pessimistic approach of always believing the gauges if they tell you that there is less fuel than you predict by your preflight planning, but not if they tell you that there is more! |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
91.205 For VFR flight during the day, the following instruments and
equipment are required: (9) Fuel gauge indicating the quantity of fuel in each tank. http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/c...4cfr91_00.html "Angus Davis" wrote in message ... Yossarian wrote: I understand that functional fuel gauges are required equipment for day VFR flight. Per the FARs, your gauges were functional. The only requirement is that when the tanks are empty, the gauges read empty. If they show full when the tanks are 1/4 full, that is not a problem in so far as the FARs are concerned. Repeating, the only regulatory requirement is for gauges to be accurate when the tanks are empty. That's why you should pay little attention to them at all, and do your fuel calculations with diligence. -angus |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
I have heard this repeated for quite a while, and I can't find the pertinent
section of the aircraft certification regs. Would you mind posting the chapter and verse where I can find this requirement? Jim The only requirement is that -when the tanks are empty, the gauges read empty. If they show full when -the tanks are 1/4 full, that is not a problem in so far as the FARs are -concerned. Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup) VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor http://www.rst-engr.com |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
"Ron Natalie" wrote in message m... "Angus Davis" wrote in message ... Per the FARs, your gauges were functional. The only requirement is that when the tanks are empty, the gauges read empty. Sorry, the FARs don't say that. The FARs don't say anything about accuracy. The much misattributed FAR about them being empty just says that the E mark means zero usable. If they show full when the tanks are 1/4 full, that is not a problem in so far as the FARs are concerned. 91.205 says you must have operational guages. In this case the guage is NOT operating the way it was designed. If the thing is really bouncing between 0 and Full on the ground there is something seriously wrong. Not only is it hardly legal, I'd really question what was going on. Well, I'd certainly want to know why a gauge was flicking around, but being pedantic (as I would be if called on it by the FAA), how am I to know if my gauges are operational? For that, I'd go to my POH for guidance. My POH tells me that my fuel gauges should read 'red line' when there is no fuel in the tank. It says nothing else. So I'd argue that I could reasonably conclude my gauges were just fine if they showed full when in actual fact they were only 1/4 full. And since the FAR's insist I operate my plane consistently with the POH & flight supplements, I'd claim regulatory backing for this position. -- Dr. Tony Cox Citrus Controls Inc. e-mail: http://CitrusControls.com/ |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
"Jim Weir" wrote in message news I have heard this repeated for quite a while, and I can't find the pertinent section of the aircraft certification regs. Would you mind posting the chapter and verse where I can find this requirement? Jim It doesn't say that. 23.1337 says the guage must be calibrated (but doesn't give any specific accuracy). The part that people keep passing around by is the (1), but they ignore the fact that it comes after "In Addition" . The empty pronouncement just says that the bottom mark is supposed to be zero usable as opposed to bone dry: (b) Fuel quantity indication. There must be a means to indicate to the flightcrew members the quantity of usable fuel in each tank during flight. An indicator calibrated in appropriate units and clearly marked to indicate those units must be used. In addition: (1) Each fuel quantity indicator must be calibrated to read "zero" during level flight when the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank is equal to the unusable fuel supply determined under § 23.959(a); |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
It's only requirement is that it reads empty when the tank is empty. Got a
watch? That's a hell of a lot better gas gage than that thing on the panel. mike regish "Yossarian" wrote in message . .. I understand that functional fuel gauges are required equipment for day VFR flight. Yesterday during my preflight in a 172 I saw that the right gauge was functioning intermittently--it would show full, flicker down to zero, bounce around, etc. Tank was visually confirmed full. Mechanic messed around with it for a while to no effect. Would you fly this airplane? |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
"Tony Cox" wrote in message
nk.net... Well, I'd certainly want to know why a gauge was flicking around, but being pedantic (as I would be if called on it by the FAA), how am I to know if my gauges are operational? Per the FAR, if they show the amount of fuel in the tank, they are operational. If they don't, they aren't. It's not rocket science. If you have gauges that show full tanks even when they are only 1/4 full, the gauges are not in compliance with the relevant regulation. For that, I'd go to my POH for guidance. My POH tells me that my fuel gauges should read 'red line' when there is no fuel in the tank. It says nothing else. Just because the POH only describes your "red line" for the zero fuel point, that doesn't mean there aren't additional requirements for accuracy. Pete |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
Two watches will do that. Or a double timer like I use.
mike regish "ArtP" wrote in message ... On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 13:40:58 -0600, "Roger Tracy" wrote: Yes. I go by tach time anyway and can peg fuel consumption pretty close. Spoken like a high winger. For us low wing types we have to know how much fuel is in each tank. Since climb, cruise, and descent all use different amounts of fuel it is hard to know how much is left in each tank. Sooner or later we come to the point when the POH says switch to the fullest tank. We need the gauges to know which one that is. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Ultralight Club Bylaws - Warning Long Post | MrHabilis | Home Built | 0 | June 11th 04 05:07 PM |
Mountain flying instruction: McCall, Idaho, Colorado too! | [email protected] | General Aviation | 0 | March 26th 04 11:24 PM |
Progress on Flying Car | Steve Dufour | General Aviation | 5 | December 19th 03 03:48 PM |
FA: WEATHER FLYING: A PRACTICAL BOOK ON FLYING | The Ink Company | Aviation Marketplace | 0 | November 5th 03 12:07 AM |
the thrill of flying interview is here! | Dudley Henriques | Piloting | 0 | October 21st 03 07:41 PM |