How a Simple Aviation Rule Saved My Life - MzeroA Online Ground School

When planning a cross-country flight there are so many variables and situations to account for. In this video, Jason shares how the 3-hour rule saved his life and how implementing it into your flight plan could save yours.
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[@donw9793]

The one-liner takeaway for me is FUEL = OPTIONS. Well said!

[@gobysky]

I’m retired now, but I flew professionally for several decades. Running low on fuel in a multi engine made me more nervous than having an engine failure. I always planned on diverting so as to have twice the minimum FAR fuel requirement at the alternative. People don’t realize that several planes may be diverting to that alternate also and you may be put in a hold. Don’t push the fuel envelope, it could cost you your life.

[@richardcarlisle6692]

When things go sideways, undo the last thing you did. This has saved me a few times. I switched to an empty tank by mistake once and the engine quit. Last thing I did was switch tanks. When I undid that and switched back to the original tank, the engine fired right up. Figured out what I did and switched to the proper tank. My hangar neighbor did the same thing and immediately called mayday when the engine quit. He was at around 2000ft and set to ditch it in a field. When they went to recover the plane they found the fuel selector set to an empty tank. No one hurt but insurance ended up totaling the plane.

[@4-7th_CAV]

You mentioned in aviation we often get away with things, and we keep getting away with things, and one day we don't get away with it. That is a prime example of "Expectation Bias" where pilots "expect" an outcome based on previous experiences. Not always do things we plan on happening actually work out as we "expected".

[@jannsander]

Yep, I am working in aircraft maintenance in Europe (min. extra fuel 30min) and we just last week would have had to look at a turbo Arrow in pristine condition land on its belly if the pilot didn't have more than an hour fuel reserve for an 40min Flight. His Nose wheel didn't lock, neither with hydrologic nor gravity extension and thanks to his choices we had the time to clearly communicate, call in other, experienced pilots and mechanic, look at similar aircraft to find possible reasons for the fault, let him make flyovers to take closeup Fotos and ultimately find a way to fully extend his gear. It took 45min from the initial call to the extended gear but that was no problem: We had time to find options!

[@scottfw7169]

That bit, "We had time to find options", makes all the difference. My defective body doesn't have the health to be a pilot but Dad and Granddad were each pilots for a season of their lives. At this point on the calendar I probably can't specifically name them, but there are certain life attitudes one can pick up from pilots.

[@alk672]

Yeah I do something similar. I take the worst fuel burn published in the POH and give myself a 1 hour reserve. Yes, the timer must start when the engine starts. Doesn't matter if you burn less fuel on the ground, there is no fuel computer in my airplane, so there's no way to know for sure. This approach is the only approach that guarantees you won't run out of fuel unless there's a leak somewhere - in which case you may still run out of fuel.

[@effortaward]

Love it. Short, simple, potentially life-saving.

[@GermanGuy007]

In 2000 I was building IFR hours and flew with a friend from Brackett Field in the L. A. Basin (POC) to Venice, Florida (VNC). On my way back I was by myself and always planned for up to 400 NAM in a Piper Archer but made sure that alternates were close by, especially BEFORE reaching my destination. I always flew quite high and calculated the prevailing westerly winds with a 100 % HWC. I really learned to propper lean on those flights, because using 8.8 gals at altitude gives you about 5.5 hrs in the air. With a few exceptions I always landed with 1.5 hrs of reserves, which is obviously double the legal requirement.

[@johnmosley5402]

This has always been my rule. At work I’ll fly well past this rule but when I take the family out for GA flights I only fly a max of 3 hours. Anything longer than that is too draining to enjoy our destination.

[@tn1509]

Awesome video ! Thank you ❤ It’s the first time in 25+ years flying that I hear about the 3 hour rule. I always applied this rule instinctively, at 3 hours, and NEVER landed with less than 1 hour fuel, even when diverting or getting caught by unexpected strong headwinds. It happened several times that I made it at 3:15 or 3:20, often due to both headwind and bad weather. Follow this 3h flight time/1h fuel rule. It will save your life. You can’t imagine how good it feels wben, getting caught in total IMC for over 30 minutes, going missed 3 times, and still having 2h+ fuel, when ATC asks for your endurance. I experienced that. All I had to do was relax, finetune my engine settings, and calmly prepare what was needed to divert. Never forget that pilots too often lack the altitude above them, the runway length behind them, the fuel they already burned, and incidently the time they already wasted. Fly safe !

[@WoutervanTiel]

1. The fuel, but I've got 6 plus hrs range 2. Bladder, but I've got a bottle 3. Mental acuity, and i have no backup for that. So I came up with my own 3 hr rule for THAT reason.

[@robertelves4326]

I have a 3 hr rule and it’s not dictated by fuel but my bladder!

[@gernotskupin8472]

I fly gliders, powered gliders and also light aircraft. I always avoid flights longer than 1 1/2 hours. Not because of fuel but because of reducing concentration.

[@mad85123]

Fue = options!!! Awesome Jason this will stick with me forever!

[@williamtuepker]

Goosebumps at the end. Great advice!

[@outsidethecockpit]

I have a low wing and so switching fuel tanks is key but I like to fly as if I only have one tank of fuel which is probably ultra conservative. At full tanks, it's about 3.5 hours for 36 gallons. If I only fill to tabs, it's 25 gallons per wing so about 2.5 hours. These are great vids!

[@kaushikccu]

Very well said. Gold advice, especially for an emerging pilot like myself. Thank you, thank you. Much appreciated.

[@ronaldellis2349]

Excellent!!!

[@JoeRantCT]

It's shocking how many instructors launch with little care about how much fuel is in the tank. I had an instructor who wanted to "test his new glass fuel stick" by not fueling for our flight (we were below half). A month later he died doing touch and goes at a small/short airport in a Cirrus. Safety margins matter - whether it is fuel or runway lengths (ceilings, distances to thunderstorms, etc etc).

[@Chrisovideos]

My Cherokee holds 50 gallons and I burn about 8 gal/hr . My rule is to land with min 8 gallons or 1 hour in each tank which works out to about 4 hrs flying time on full tanks. If something ever messed up on my fuel selector and I couldn't switch I know I'd still have 1 hour to get down. Even if I'm going somewhere nearby and just have partial tanks I always base my available flying time on how much fuel I have minus the 16 gallons. Usually at least one person, me included, on every flight has a 3 hour bladder maximum.

[@marsgal42]

My Musketeer has the long-range fuel tanks and her fuel endurance (over 8 hours) far exceeds my biological endurance. Three hours it is. I don't normally brim the tanks - that much 100LL is heavy - but on a flight to Tofino CYAZ a few years ago I did exactly that. Uncertain avgas availability plus crazy weather = I need options. I made sure I had them.

[@TenantRepGuru]

Great advice.

[@KTWardlaw]

Well put! Thx Jason!😎👍🏼

[@AndyB1964]

Great ideas - thank you

[@richardbonander1507]

Very good Jason: I have 2.5 hour rule that works for me. Thanks for the videos, they keep us in check

[@thatguy7085]

Yea, that is about the longest I would fly

[@MikeyMihas]

Awesome info and rule 👍🏽

[@michaelmcauley6572]

Best I have ever seen. Keep going. Please

[@erichildebrandt9490]

4.5hrs is my max. I always have optional fuel stops picked out. If I expect thunderstorms along the route, I will make an early stop before I reach the area with the convective activity.

[@venutoa]

missed you man where you been Jason? I'm sure family keeping you busy. miss your great advice. so many pilots need you! 3 hour rule is best! i always quote you to every pilot. keep up great work!

[@Rogueaviation]

Dude. Super great advice. Thanks for sharing. #alwayslearning I try to be a good pilot at least. 👍👍👍

[@jakebrodskype]

Rather than reduce everything to a simple rule, just keep options available. If it is daytime with the forecast weather VFR on the entire route with high ceilings, and airports with fuel no more than 15 minutes away from your planned course, and your aircraft has a five hour fuel capacity (no reserve), then flying for four hours is not unreasonable. Conversely, if airports and fuel are few and far between, make plans to land somewhere and refuel. The same goes for weather. If the weather is variable with airports going low IFR along the route, even three hours may not be a good idea. You might want to reduce it to two and a half hours. The point is what my instructors repeated to me when I was younger: Always have a plan B.

[@devb8904]

Personal fuel reserve rules are essential, but distilling it down to a max time rule is silly. Different power/mixture combinations produce vastly different fuel burns that serve distinct goals for different flights.

[@cameronmolt5649]

Good rule. I prefer not to get below 50% fuel capacity. That's about 2 hours, depending on Mixture setting.

[@jessegarman7899]

I have a fuel totalizer hooked up to a GPS. It gives me very, very good fuel situational awareness.

[@tn1509]

What would you do if it quits? Or when you have an alternator failure ? (Very common. I had it twice, including one while crossing above sea for a 2h leg) With friends we regularily do a "competition" day consisting in a 1h navigation pattern, unknown in advance. Every crew (2 pilots on board) has 1hour to prepare the flight. No GPS allowed. Objectives : 1. Take a picture of every turning point (360 turns forbidden) every turning point spotted = 10 points. 2. Calculated Flight time vs actual (1 minute shorter = 1 point penalty. 1 minute longer = 5 points penalty. 3. Fuel burn calculation after landing. Every 1/2 gallon used less than estimated = 2 penalty points. Every 1/2 gallon used over estimation = 10 penalty points. It's both VERY fun and instructive, With practice you will be able to calculate your fuel consumption with a 1/10 of a gallon per hour accuracy, and your flight time to the minute.

[@RaceMentally]

My rule is also 3 hours. I do have a trip that is 3:15 I take usually. Have a tail wind typically as well. But I hold 38 gallons and average 6.5-7 GPH.

[@joeshmooo5327]

Jeeez I have been watching you since you were a kid. Boy do I feel old

[@brittonstudios]

I think calling this a 3hr rule makes it more confusing. You really have a 1.5hr fuel reserve rule, which gives you and your airplane a certain timer of flight time. Think it would be more helpful to call it a 1.5hr rule for consistency for everyone instead of you calling it your 3hr rule, since that only applies to your specific airplane and if you got into another airplane that would change.

[@keithhoward9238]

2 to 2.5 hr rule for me in my Piper Tomahawk PA38 112. Bladder can't do more than that.

[@markbunker5934]

Just remember, the FAA requirement for fuel is the MINIMUM

[@CraigMaiman]

4 hour rule for me. My plane has over 6 hours of fuel at full, so I give myself 2 hours extra.

[@cmritchie04]

My rule that I would like to adapt, the DIYer PRIVATE PILOT Aircraft Dispatcher rule, another person sitting at the desk in case something turns bad well head of time. Monitoring weather, TFR's ect and making suggestions while communicating via radio. Ham Radio License Tech required on both parties. Use of GPS+APRS and then followed by choice of echolink or allstar...another tool in the tool bag. Very similar to what the airlines have and great for diversions

[@jeffdo9195]

I hate when you go on a BFR etc with a CFI and you look in the tanks and they oh it looks like we have enough we are only going up for an hour. I call BS I like taking off with full tanks even if it is a quick flight because your starting from a known state

[@jwlamb63]

SDF is a zoo to fly into and out of. I like the three hour rule, but why do I hear the theme music from Gilligan’s Island.

[@thatguy7085]

3 hrs… is a long flight. I have to stop for my passengers. Potty break

[@bobbydoyle1345]

Great video. I have a 2.5 hour rule.

[@JoshuaTootell]

Funny, this reminds me of people who hate EV's because they have to stop on trips to recharge instead of fueling up in 5 minutes. I rode my motorcycle (GSXR1000) 1500 miles each way from California to Texas and back, two days each way. Which included stopping for gas every two hours AND taking a break. I like to have a high level of situational awareness, especially on a motorcycle. But I still managed to travel that far. Not sure why so many people have to stretch their limits in cars and planes. Just land (or pull over) a little more often and for a little longer than necessary and be safer for it. (Extra info: I'm the son of a truck driver and have never owned an EV)

[@HomesickforAlaska]

When I go on a VFR x-country, I plan my route, plan my fuel stops, plan my alternates, check the weather, calculate my fuel burn and reserve, evaluate elevations on enroute, etc, etc, etc,. In effect my plane (particularly my fuel stops) dictates my entire trip, I will be d@mmed if I have to go through the EXACT SAME planning for a trip in an EV.

[@jeffdo9195]

@@HomesickforAlaskapart 91.3

[@leeoldershaw956]

In a Tesla you don't have to plan. The car takes you to appropriate chargers.​@HomesickforAlaska

[@flyingjeff1956]

In light of your Louisville episode, do you have your instrument students demonstrate a zero-zero landing? On the worst day of your life, the airplane is going to land somewhere. Might as well be the possibility of a runway rather than a forest.

[@leeoldershaw956]

I've heard this stuff before So it's not a 3 hour rule. It might be 2 or 4. Stop preaching " rules of thumb". They're wrong. As a pilot you must know exactly the fuel onboard, the consumption rate, the distance and time required. I flew a 6 hour 850 mile flight at 11.5 k ft in a 48 gallon Mooney Mk 20 C and arrived with 12 gal. or 2 more hours.

[@RetreadPhoto]

Never heard of it. Google says the 3-hr rule is how long commercial airlines can keep you on the tarmac without letting passengers disembark.

[@YellowCucumber]

This looks like it’s his own personal rule. 3hrs of total flight time is pretty conservative in my experience. Just read your POH and make sure you’re properly leaned out and at a good power setting. In a 172 when properly leaned and depending on altitude you can fly for nearly 4 and half hours and still have an hour reserve.

[@nocalsteve]

I live by the 4-hour rule but that’s just for calling the doctor after taking Viagra.

[@patrickunderwood5662]

3 hours? 4 hours? 5 hours? Don’t you guys have bladders?

[@wordsareuneccesary]

Too conservative. Do the math and if there is wind , storms or going to new places add more time. Have outs one way too if it takes too long. VFR and IFR take different minimums too.

[@flyer617]

I carry 80 gallons in my Bonanza. I get uncomfortable and want to walk around far before fuel becomes an issue. That's well over 5 hours of fuel, more than 6 if mostly in cruise. After 3 hours I need to stretch my legs! It's not like I can walk up and down the aisle or go to the lavatory. So my body has told me how long I can fly.