The Most Embarrassing way to Crash an Airplane - Thoughts on Fuel Exhaustion

Season 3, Episode 16
For as much as us pilots put ourselves down when our landing wasn't as perfect as you wanted it to be, we seldom congratulate ourselves on the little things. Deciding not to go flying when it's too windy, not taking that extra bag because it's too heavy, or not flying to that further airport because it's too far. These are the little choices that a good pilot makes to keep them and their passengers safe. Let's celebrate those little accomplishments, but first, look at some of the pitfalls of fuel exhaustion.
Hey, did you guys know that the FAA actually certifies flight instructors to tell you everything that I try to convey in these videos? You should definitely talk to one of them instead of trusting some video you found on the internet, because who am I to tell you how to fly? I'm just a pilot sharing my experiences with the world, and these videos are not meant to be instructional or advisory in any respect.
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[@donadams8345]

There is nothing more embarrassing than crashing due to fuel exhaustion, especially if you are killed. The best thing to do to avoid this is to make sure your fuel is well rested before each flight.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Wasn't expecting that one! XD

[@Lexor888]

Yeah, for a non native speaker fuel exhaustion sounds weird. My first guess would have been "to run out of fuel" and the video proved me right yet it still sounds a bit weird to me.

[@sblack48]

Why would you crash if the engine quits? A forced landing ok, but why a crash unless you are over a city or forest?

[@sblack48]

I love my fuel totalizer fed by a fuel flow sensor. No guess work. Of course it won't stop you from running out of gas. I just couldn't stand depending on those hoakey floats.

[@epictetus9766]

Fuel starvation is when the fuel isn’t well fed.

[@SkyKing58318]

Yes, don't be Fuelish.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

ooooomg XD

[@planespotterkarl2783]

Can you teach me the ways of the aviation pun? Or should I just wing it?

[@fricky172]

I'll give you props for trying.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Wait. Wait. Props! XD

[@SkyKing58318]

You need a 'flare' for it...

[@Milosz_Ostrow]

"The only time you have too much fuel is when you' re on fire ..."

[@calebbyers]

Actually even when on fire more fuel is better. If your tanks are full then there's less room for oxygen and it reduces the risk of explosion. When you have less fuel, and there's a lot of oxygen and vapors in the tank, then all it needs to blow up is those vapors and oxygen. I saw an experiment once where an electric match was ignited inside multiple cars with different fuel levels, and the less fuel in the tanks, the larger the explosion was. And the largest explosion was the empty tank, which had just vapors and the most oxygen.

[@maverickbrady9528]

Or too heavy... Always stick your tanks to know how much you have.

[@JoeCnNd]

Depends on weight and passengers weight.

[@frenchfries4294]

@@calebbyers i never knew that thanks for the knowledge

[@CJCS1111]

If my flight fueling habits were anything like my car fueling habits, I'd probably often be in trouble.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Ditto! XD

[@neskyz4259]

Ditto ditto!

[@Streaky100001]

Hahaha, as would I, but not in trouble of running out, rather in trouble of being above MTOW lol, I am so paranoid when it comes to fuel in the car lol.

[@carstorm85]

Yep I usually refill when I dip below 3/4 a tank!

[@Streaky100001]

Yeah, same here, I always worry if I let it get lower and hit bad traffic I could be in trouble.

[@Rems19]

I came to see a "funny" plane crash (was lost on yt) and left with a great explanation on how to manage fuel in planes. Thanks for that great video !

[@SwampCityRadio1974]

"Guy's coming back with a paper cup..." Paper cup: Lands. Me: Oh, Piper Cub.

[@spider-man3234]

I heard the same thing... then I saw a Piper Cub landing... and said ahhhhhhh

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Excellent visual of the sender vs. gauge reading! As an auto mechanic, that was spot on, and a great visual learning tool! No idea how you pulled that off while editing - WELL DONE! Watching over here about 12 miles West of ORH. I've probably seen you fly right over my house without even realizing it. I look at every aircraft that comes by, and there's quite a few! We're right in the approach path for Jet Blue, and other private jets on some days. :) I see alot of trainers come directly over my house - can always hear the distinct pitch change of the engine. Aviation has become my new KZbin addiction. Someday I hope get my pilot's license and make it a reality. Would love to get a light sport aircraft capable of taking off & landing in my yard here. I'm dreaming, but maybe someday I can make it happen. Part of my new 10 year plan. :) Thanks for the great vids, neighbor!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

I guarantee I've flown over your house almost weekly! Glad you're enjoying the videos, and I personally think that anyone who is ambitious and plans, can achieve anything, so good luck! Email me when you buy that plane someday :)

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Well I've probably stared at you each time as you flew over, lol. :D I've been seeing groups of 2 - 4 planes coming over here lately on the weekends. Looks like alot of fun! Was wishing I was up there with them. Thanks man, and will do if I can make this happen. :)

[@dundonrl]

Ever fly just using flight time, acting as if you don't have a working fuel gauge (or no fuel gauge at all)

[@petergriffin383]

Rexford L Personally I dont even pay attention to fuel levels when I fly or flight time, I just wing it (no pun intended), if I run outta fuel I just do a soft field landing.

[@petergriffin383]

Paying attention to fuel level is for weak people, real men know how much fuel is left just by the feel of the aircraft on takeoff

[@billbabcock1833]

The 3 most useless things in aviation - runway behind you, air above you and fuel in the truck on the ground.

[@ryanm.191]

Saw the title and thought you crashed. Nearly had me in tears there, what else would I do on a Friday if there’s no FSF?

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Nope, just worried about it, as always :P

[@joeg5414]

Yes they are using them, but there are good clickbait titles and there are bad. Bad = "BRAND NEW AIR CRASH INVESTIGATIONS 2018!" and it's 10 years old. This one isn't bad lol

[@BillClay88]

Definitely a lil click baity, but glad you OK. Haha. I mean, look at the views on this vid relative to channel and other vids. This will have a mill views within so many months. We all have that morbid curiosity.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

It's only because of the non-pilots who want to see somebody crash instead of learning how to prevent them. It's a phenomenon I'm well used to on this channel.

[@ryanm.191]

Friendly Skies Film legitimately so true. The one where you were a student and the pilot who was t using his radio went to land at the same time you did got like 10 times more views, only because the topic is about you and a near disaster

[@Flightx52]

"If oil is an airplane's lifeblood, then fuel is its coffee." Can't tell you how many long nights in college were fueled on coffee lol

[@MentalParadox]

I drink kerosene to stay awake.

[@blackmusik109]

@@MentalParadoxcan you tell me where I can undergo the conversion? Asking for a friend

[@anonymxs._7570]

This is very interesting to watch from a glider pilots perspective :)

[@MentalParadox]

Your fuel is rising warm air! XD

[@Livedracersteve]

Scared me Nick thought you crashed or something glad nothing actually happened.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

I ok! :)

[@joakoc.6235]

The best is to have a fuel computer that measure the fuel used by the engine in the carburetor fuel intake, and subtract the fuel that return by the return line. Them are expensive, but is the most accurate way of knowing your fuel all the time, also usually have fuel imbalance alarms that tells you to change tank.

[@Dowlphin]

I find it one of those big scandals of society how in planes, that are much more critical than cars in this regards, they still use floater-based fuel gauges. You pointed out all the problems with it and one would assume every aircraft engineer knows, too, and would come up with a better solution that is worth using everywhere even if it turns out more expensive. Statistics seem to prove that it is a necessary safety investment. The only thing I can imagine is that technologies that would work might have electrical currents too close to the fuel. For example, there must be a way to develop a stripe you put on the inside wall of the tank that gives feedback about where fuel comes in contact with it, and combining that with a custom curve in the electronics, a tank shape profile, that gives an accurate percentage read, including things like ignoring fuel on the bottom that could be rendered unusable unless you pull some stunts.

[@BC437A]

Dᴏᴡʟᴘʜᴡɪɴ The technology to accurately measure fuel quantity already exist, and has for decades. Google "Capacitive fuel level sensors". It is used in all commercial and most business jet aircraft. It works much like the way the touch screen on your smartphone. (Very tiny amount of electricity) A aircraft will have several of these sensors in a fuel tank sending info to a microcontroller which combines the averages to a single reading on the gauge. Pros: 1. Very accurate fuel quantity to a few percent. 2. Will accurately measure fuel quantity despite odd tank sizes. 3. Will accurately measure fuel quantity in any orientation and flight attitudes. 4. No moving parts to fail. Cons: 1. Expensive. 2. Must be tailored to a specific fuel type for a specific tank size in a specific aircraft. (Primary reason for why it is expensive.) 3. Will occasionally require trimming by a specialist as the electronics age. There is no such thing as a perfect aircraft. Like everything in life, there are tradeoffs. You want a fancy, fast, safe aircraft? Be prepared to spend big bucks. ($$$,$$$+ at minimum) You want a cheap and safe aircraft? It ain't gonna be a brand spanking new hot rod with the fancy electronics suite. (Think Cessna 172 with dial gauges) The trick is to find a balance that works for you and work within those limits. I.E. a aircraft with float fuel level gauges. Just don't take off unless both gauges indicate at least half full. It would probably be better to get more fuel anyway since the half full indication could be in reality be less than 25% full. Scary thought. The main point in this video is to "play it safe, carry enough fuel to get you through the day plus some extra for emergencies". You can't just "pull over on the side of the road" like you can in a car when you run out of gas. Besides it is not a good habit to have anyway.

[@therichardwhittingtonlibra4588]

Every "GOOD" pilot knows that fuel gauges are there only for decoration purposes - small or large AC. Pilots rely on formula of known fuel quantities or fuel weight by the gallon per hour of flight under certain loads and restrictions(mostly wind). If you rely on gauges you're asking for it. So no, on a commercial airliner they do not rely on fuel gauges. I know cause I used to fuel commercial AC and owned a couple Warrior II's.

[@tanall5959]

Not so much for decoration purposes, as much as failure indicators. You don't plan flights around your fuel gauges for reasons stated. You do use them to find out if your fuel system is misbehaving.

[@therichardwhittingtonlibra4588]

Was exaggerating the decoration purposes statement - was trying to make a point. A better onboard fuel failure indicator is the fuel pressure gauge not the fuel quantity gauges and nothing beats a good flight plan like the airliners use, theyre easy once you get used to them and if you do a short hop without filing - extra insurance, kind of fun and good practice for GA flying.

[@wireflight]

Tanall -- "misbehaving" -- I will have to remember that one. When thereafter safely landed, is the correct remedial action to chide the system, "You were very naughty"? Then you have to admonish it to perform better in the future :)

[@Thee_Sinner]

End Credit music gives me flashbacks of CodysLab timelaps's

[@Johnyknowhow]

"Hey everyone, Cody here, and welcome back to my PA 28."

[@jonjohnson102]

heard of ave?

[@Thee_Sinner]

Jon Johnson Only recently started watchin that choocher

[@cirurginn]

Cody would make fuel using urine

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

Always carry as much as possible. I like the Piper Hershey wing with the inner tabs that marked 18 gals. Another thing it made was a measured stick easily made for your plane. Start with an empty tank put the unmarked stick in for every 2 gallons stick it then mark it, put another 2 gallon repeat till filled. Now I filed those marks and permanent marketed the filed line. Done. Safe flying out there!

[@michaellensing5754]

Try not to laugh

[@carlzimmerman8700]

Idk what the "try not to laugh" comment is about". He built a calibrated fuel stick, which is one of the most fail safe ways to measure fuel. I trust that over a gauge in the cockpit any day.

[@ExperimentalFun]

seems like a small reserve tank in the airplane body would be nice to have

[@davidhoffman1278]

Experimental Fun , That reserve tank system adds to the empty weight, reduces payload, and increases complexity. Left, Both, Right has worked well overall in light aircraft general aviation for many decades. Taking the time to know how a particular aircraft's subsystems work in the real world, as this man has with his aircraft's fuel system, is one of the best ways to avoid many bad incidents in aviation.

[@johnsturgis4462]

one more thing to miss manage by the low timer...

[@MrMarkguth]

There’s a reason why fuel gauges in planes arnt as precise and gauges in a new car, if they were imagine the bad habits that would follow. The dip stick don’t lie, just be sure it’s the one for your airplane. My habit inplanes with only left or right, try changing tanks in the first 1/2 hour then every hour after that.

[@kirkstinson7316]

Ask John Denver about that.....oh, you can't. He had fuel in his reserve tank but didn't use it

[@billbabcock1833]

Just another tank to run dry if you don't know what you're doing.

[@jackriley5974]

When you're empty at 8500, on-top, and VFR, it doesn't matter why. Not my first stupid mistake, but like all of them I learned an important lesson. In this case, a rough, short farm field landing which I flew out of 5 hours latter. Also, attempting to follow instructions, utilizing flaps and holding the nose up to avoid holes, I nearly ran out of field on take-off. Two lessons for the price of one incident!

[@razorwings18]

Back in the day in flight school we used a hi-tech device called 'the broomstick' for gauging the fuel. It consisted of... well, a chopped broomstick. Dip, check, let the fuel evaporate, toss in the back. Fuel gauges never worked anyways.

[@johnsturgis4462]

Fuel gauges are only required to be accurate when tanks are empty. Characterise your plane as to GPH burned and fill up when lightly loaded and calibrate the "broom stick" at 5 gallon intervals. Caution with wings with dihedral. NOTE your engine START TIME and Departure time on a knee board with a pencil and paper. Drink a LARGE COFFEE BEFORE DEPARTURE you will land well before the tanks run dry...

[@paulki8fr]

I never fly over 3 hours from start with full tanks.

[@call911forcookies2]

Awesome explanation! The graphics were really great too! And thanks for touching up on the fuel thing, I never really give it much thought because I sometimes just assume my instructor has it ready to go; (he always does but I should still get in the habit of checking every time.)

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

I think that's the way the majority lives, which is why this was important to me. Glad you enjoyed :)

[@hempelcx]

When it's 5C and raining and you just want to get in the air and unbeknownst to you the plane developed a valve seal leak on the last leg and you're down two quarts, the only thing that will save you is the force of habit developed now that you never, ever, leave the ground without first checking the gas and oil levels yourself.

[@MJLeger-yj1ww]

Never ever just "trust" that your aircraft is all set to go -- that's what a TOTAL pre-flight is for, including checking the fuel!

[@Tom-tk3du]

Get into the habit of always checking the fuel level yourself. I always start a long flight (>1 hr) with full tanks. Nobody ever crashed from having too much fuel onboard.

[@veryunimportant9531]

I called 911 why didn't I get my cookies?

[@rcLawnDartPilot]

Yup, this is why I use my watch as a fuel gauge instead. Just about every fuel gauge in the rentals Ive flown look more like mini windshield wipers.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Lol

[@KevDYAD]

I read somewhere about a trick for switching tanks. If you have an analogue clock or watch, right hand tank when the minute hand is on the right side of the clock face i.e. between 12 and 6. Left hand tank when the hand is on the left, 6 to 12. Of course you need to remember to look at the clock of your watch .

[@BC437A]

Kev Setting your phone alarm to go off every 30 minutes on vibrate, volume on high and obnoxious flashing screen display works pretty well too. ;)

[@leardvr]

14000TT and that's how I've always done it. Left tank on the left side of the hour and visa versa.

[@Chemnut220]

One great way these planes can give you a fun surprise - is if one of your tanks or bladders springs a leak on you. I was coming back to MD from GA in my cherokee and noticed that I was burning an unusually high amount of fuel (right tank gauge was going down very slowly even though I was on the left tank). When I landed I noticed the green/blue stains under the wing. The leak was probably there all along and I just never noticed because I rarely take trips that long, so I hardly ever fill the tanks past the tabs. I suspect the leak was in one of the upper tank rivets - or somewhere near the top of the tank.

[@psyrixx]

Upvote for the karaoke!

[@psyrixx]

(and the good fuel info... but we're always required to fill up the tanks when we return the planes so we never have fuel issues [and yes, I always double check tanks are full during preflight]).

[@Pilot.Lindsay]

Good Video 👍

[@__sir7557]

I can't wait for a "Tesla" solution for the skies.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Ha. Ha. Ha. Then you're going to LOOOOOVE the next video.

[@hyperspeed1313]

There are reasons that aviation depends on combustibles. Batteries have a terrible energy density as compared to fuel, so you need more of them for the same endurance. And you always carry the full weight unlike when you burn off fuel. And more weight on the same wings always means more drag. We’re designing a UAV for our senior design project here at UT Austin, and we’re mandated to use batteries because IC engines would be too easy to meet the endurance requirement with.

[@benjamind7290]

I've heard this argument before but I'm not convinced. IC engines are common, well developed, and fuel density is high. But, they waste a great deal of the energy in the fuel during conversion to mechanical energy. Also, batteries are increasing in density all the time, so maybe we'll start seeing more practical electric airplanes. We're already seeing electric airplanes with reasonable performance and over an hour of run time, so they're close to being practical for some missions.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

So, this is the subject of next week's video. See if you can find me your favorite candidate for "reasonable performance," and send it my way. I'm always afraid that I become myopic when planning these things and might miss things.

[@Soordhin]

Siemens equipped an Extra 300 with a 260kW electric motor that weighs only 50kg. They use that as a test bed with different battery technology, and apparently they have no problem to fly a full aerobatic program with that, or tow a glider and have set several records with that plane already. Of course it doesn't have the endurance of a normal Extra 300, but it is still quite impressive.

[@dharvell]

Great advice... AND a karaoke ending. Who could want more?

[@JimForeman]

I used to deliver airplanes and fuel rated about the same level of problems as weather. Many of my deliveries were antique or classic airplanes and finding the proper type or octane was often a problem. Another was they didn't take some or any credit cards and told me only after they had filled the tanks. Try coming up with $100 cash in a small town on Saturday afternoon.

[@theohall65]

Now I understand why the Arrow III has "unusable" fuel. Excellent video and explanation of fuel stuff.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Glad you learned something :)

[@teenagerinsac]

Even airliners have unusable fuel. :)

[@madbanthaii]

Good to see the full intro back

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

I missed it too :)

[@revmatch2648]

"There is a point you can have too much fuel..... when you are on fire... Nothing more useless than fuel in the truck and runway behind you." - Bryan Haggerty 2017 Passing on words of wisdom, fly safe everyone! :)

[@thomaslemay8817]

One other useless commodity altitude above you a safe altitude is one from which you can glide with a dead engine to a safe place to land.

[@VenturiLife]

My dad flew an aircraft he hired, that belonged to a private owner with a bladder tank system, the gas caps unbeknownst to him, were both incorrect, and leaking. As he was flying, the entire time he was losing fuel, he had filled the aircraft with fuel and assumed that he therefore had plenty of range. He was put in a situation where he had to execute a forced landing on a bush track, which fortunately, while damaging the aircraft wing, and writing it off, didn't result in any injuries. The regular checks of fuel state, would have given him a heads-up that something was very wrong, by the time he realized he was low fuel, he had no options to make an airstrip anymore.

[@rafaelj.1439]

I'm not even sure how I ended up here. I'm a game designer, not a pilot. But I LOVE IT! *subscribes*

[@rafaelj.1439]

And I love the karaoke! That's one of my favorite songs!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Me too ;) And sometimes I wish I was a game designer, not a pilot ;P

[@molot_vepr_3089]

just a quick question, do commercial jets, Airbus, Boeing, and Tupolev, do they also use this fuel gauges? or do they use something different? my knowledge on aircraft has been getting extremely rusty, so i just ant to know.

[@scottfranco1962]

I have an expensive engine monitor with fuel flow. Want to never run out of gas? All you need is a kitchen timer from Wal-mart. Find the max time on your aircraft. That is total tank capacity divided by fuel burn per hour. For example, a skyhawk typically burns 8 gallons an hour if properly leaned (I get it down to 7.5 if I try). Round that up to 10 GPH, and so with the standard 40 Gal tank you get 4 hours of flight time. That's conservative enough that you don't need to do a lot of calculation about usable vs. unusable fuel. Now subtract an hour. So for my 172, I get 3 hours flight time. Set the timer for 3 hours when you start up the engine and put it somewhere you can hear the alarm go off. When the alarm goes off, find somewhere to land and fuel. Flying by time is more accurate than any other method except actually measuring fuel flow (and even then not if the thing is not properly calibrated). You can have headwinds, tailwinds, crosswinds, the flight time will be the same. Last hint: get a sleeping bag and take it with you on cross countries. I have never had anyone have an issue with your sacking out in the pilots lounge. Getting to your airport and finding the self service fuel station is out of whack leads to you trying to push your fuel limits in the dark. In the morning you bitch to the fuel operator or get a truck, and you had a neat sleepover. Plus if you should ever have to land in the wilderness or deal with cold, you are set. Bonus hint: If the self service fuel station cuts out (stops working or never starts the pump), don't try it over and over. The station usually places a hold on your credit card/debt car of up to $100, and you can max out your card that way and be well and truly stuck.

[@Milosz_Ostrow]

Operating time is just another tool. Fuel consumption can vary widely, depending on engine load, although on some aircraft, such as the Robinson R22 helicopter, flight is strictly limited by time: The machine can fly nearly three hours on a full tank, but the POH says to land at two hours, no matter what. I don't know of any kitchen timer with a piezo sounder that is reliably loud enough to be heard over the noise of an aircraft piston engine. A timer that feeds a signal into the cabin speaker and headset circuit and simultaneously flashes an alert light would be good, though. I can't hear my wireless phone ringing in crowds, but I can feel it vibrate if it is in a pocket close to my body, so a vibrator alert might work in an aircraft, too, especially when it is coupled to visual and audible signals. I've considered buying a cheap Android phone just to use as a timing device. Without the GPS, cellular radio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth active, a smartphone can run for 4 to 6 days without recharging and it has a headset output that could be connected to an auxiliary audio input jack in an aircraft. Good tips on bringing along a sleeping bag and use of a credit on fuel pumps.

[@helicopterpilot08]

Milosz Ostrow He can get away with it in an airplane because they're not at 100% all the time.

[@helicopterpilot08]

I like it.

[@Verdigo76]

And if that happens where authorization holds max out your card then call the number on the back of your card regardless of time and a rep like me can remove the holds. Usually we need the authorization of the merchant to do so but in an emergency, like being stranded, it can be done anyway. If you get a receipt from the machine then keep each one because we may need to verify the authorization number at the bottom.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Good advice!

[@maxbootstrap7397]

Why are there two 100LL fuel pumps... one blue and one red? Are there two variants of 100LL fuel ???

[@alanbrown397]

Every aircraft I've flown has had an individually calibrated dipstick in the cockpit and you shalt not fly without checking it, nor shall you use the stick from one tail number on another tail number _ever_

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Guessing this is not in the US, yeah?

[@fordtechchris]

Some Boats are the same way, they read high because of the hull shape. Currently the diamond I train in is getting a sticky reading, but we use a dipstick every time and talk about our estimated fuel burn. As a auto technician I already know how sketchy these things are... and Ive seen other methods of measuring fuel, but Im convinced nothing is 100%

[@danb6838]

A friend who got me started to becoming a pilot was killed years later when he ran out of fuel and crashed in Colorado. To this day I don't understand how. I flew with him several times. He flew "by the book". The FAA even investigated as a possible suicide due to the fact that it's so avoidable!

[@DOLRED]

I was subscribed to a newsletter in the late '70s called "Aviation Monthly." It was a rewrite/edit version of NTSB crash reports for aircraft. Today, you can find crash info on the web via the FAA Gov. There were many ending with: PIC crashed short of the destination airport due to Fuel Exhaustion/Fuel Mismanagement. Many times, such reports stated the pilot was less than a few miles from the runway. Most, if not all of these cases were fatal. As the saying goes, FAA regulations were written as a result of someone's blood loss.

[@lethaldarkness115]

OH I MISSED THIS INTRO!!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Me too :)

[@lethaldarkness115]

Friendly Skies Film what state do you fly out of? ( Your home Airport )

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

For now, Worcester Regional (KORH) in MA. Soon, West Palm Beach are.

[@gmcjetpilot]

Piloting 101 light Airplane Fuel gauges are totally inaccurate. AND/OR Fuel gauges are only accurate at Empty. Top off = x known gallons ÷ gallons per hour fuel burn = TIT (TIME IN TANK). Note time engine start and land before TIT - 30 minute (reserve) time is reached. My reserve rule was 45-60 minutes even VFR. Unlike Cessna which feeds from both tanks Piper it's either left or right. On a long cross-country if you're trying to milk all the fuel out of it you have to almost go to empty on one if the tanks (enroute not in pattern). You do that by watching for engine to cough. Switch tank and turn on boost pump. If you leave a few gallons in one tank then you're not getting the range you expect. Most people don't fly airplanes to their maximum range and land with 30 min VFR reserve. That is only 3 or 4 gallons in a 150/160HP plane. If you leave 2 gals in Left and land on Right tank you will have a gallon in that tank. With Piper's when Landing your to switch to the tank with the most fuel so it would be best to almost empty one tank (enroute) and land with the other tank with all your reserve fuel in that tank. However if your flight planning is very good your fuel burn is accurate and you know exactly how long you been on a tank, you can switch tanks in before it runs dry without leaving a lot of excess fuel. The AFM has unusable fuel, no one really knows how accurate it is unless you do some experiments, testing and record data. I found on a piper tomahawk the usable fuel was less 1/2 gal. Typically after a flight where I switch from an "empty" tank (when not using fuel exhaustion method) I have 1 to 1.5 gal of fuel. Again I'm not stretching range. My RV-7 has accurate gauges and fuel flow totalizer not found in factory planes.

[@donfoster5576]

Love that WPI tee shirt!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Yeah, boy!! :D

[@davidreitter1390]

1.45 - Minute Man outside of Boston? If so, great, friendly little airport with a restaurant, and funky, non-credit card fuel pumps!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Yessir!! :)

[@joecooksey4331]

I clicked a thumbs down.... the title was click bait.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Uh-oh. The non-pilots have shown up...

[@joecooksey4331]

I've been a licensed pilot since the 80's.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Ah, darn. I make a few mistakes, I suppose :P I get pretty sick of people who say that I'm not a pilot, so my apologies. That being said, would you not agree then, that fuel exhaustion would have been a pretty embarrassing way to lose your plane?

[@kirby702]

Friendly Skies Film yes....and the video was great. But the title was still click bait. You know this already.

[@ryanmitcham5522]

Got to agree the title was click bait, that's why I'm here. But I enjoyed the video anyway, so I feel somewhat conflicted, but it wasn't what I was expecting.

[@thegamerguy56]

I find myself doing that a lot in FSX. Running my A2A C182T down to fumes. I'll make sure to murder that habit once I get into real flying before it murders me....

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Well said. If you have a Reality XP GPS in that A2A plane, you can start practicing now :)

[@Windtee]

Affirmative, it IS a most embarrassing way! We don't have to fall victim to the easily avoidable trap of self-imposed fuel exhaustion.

[@Mooney201er]

You didn't check notams in advance? Or was it a last minute fuel shortage?

[@Seniorsix]

I came here for the crash... Next time crash before you post a video.. 😂

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Yeah, I'll remember that.....

[@Seniorsix]

Friendly Skies Film hahaha thank you!! You know I'm just messing with ya

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Yeah, you're one of the good ones ;)

[@makemyday1477]

When I learned to fly I was fortunate enough to get an awesome instructor. As we filled out our flight plan we also listed fuel checks automatically over checkpoints. We never ran a tank to empty because we would switch over after 1/2 a tank to balance the aircraft. We also never let the plane sit any length of time with a less than full tank because that’s how condensation accumulates and water can get into the fuel. And if you run it close to empty and there is contaminates in the fuel that’s when it can get into the engine. Of course those are both unlikely to occur, Jess always was thinking ahead and if there was even a remote chance something could go wrong he had a plan to overcome it. Of course Orville Wright signed off his instructor so he was a third generation aviator, unlike the guys I see today that are taxiing down to the runway with their seatbelts hanging out the door. Aviation is totally unforgiving when it comes to carelessness or stupidity, that was on a sign in his hanger.

[@stevebroomfield4000]

Switching aircraft is the quickest way to mistake your fuel load. Stick with an aircraft you know and dip the tanks before every flight with a known to be accurate marked gauge. I never trust a fuel gauge.

[@paulgriffin4769]

I worked at an F.B.O. that had tabs put in the tanks that measured about half tanks. We would always fill the planes up to the tabs after the plane came back. Of course the pilot could request more fuel if they where going on longer flights. Know your aircraft before you take-off, (READ THE MANUAL) and follow the factory guidelines. They where designed to help you safely fly that aircraft.

[@PHiLiPPiNESCENES]

THANKS FOR SHARiNG! BEST TO HAVE TWiCE THE FUEL YOU NEED, iS WHAT WE PLAN ON BUYiNG!

[@locustvalleystring]

In the Piper low wings, I am in the habit of needing to see fuel above the tabs (17 gallons) in each tank, giving me a visual confirmation of the minimum amount of fuel in each tank. I have seen too many gauges bouncing on E and want to know what I got for real in there. When full up, I start on the LEFT tank for 1/2 hour, then switch every hour on cross-country trips. This keeps the weight balanced within 30 minutes (5 gallons = 30 pounds) for the whole trip. Also, I never run up on one tank and take off on the other tank. Little rules that work.

[@Fynnley525]

Is the pinging sound at the end of your intro the same as the ping sound of the motion detector in Alien Isolation?

[@chuckschillingvideos]

One thing a pilot should take into account in managing his fuel is that fuel is denser and holds more energy in cold weather than in warm.

[@bobclarie]

Thanks ! Watching your videos, reminds me of my "Younger" flying experiences . . . Bob

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Going back and watching old episodes has the same effect on me ;)

[@yakacm]

Would siphoning petrol from one of those parked planes while the owner is looking the other way frowned on in the aviation world, lol.

[@DavidSmith-mk7qo]

The fuel in the truck., the runway behind you and the air above you are just a few of the things that are useless to pilots.

[@TheBlueSaber133]

Aren't there dipsticks for each specific aircraft? Even one 172 stick won't be the same as another 172s stick.

[@Gixxer983]

Helicopters are so much safer. You can always autorotate and land softly. Engi e dead in an airplane well. Nasty crash awaits most of the time.

[@Havak37]

Is there any downside to always having full fuel tanks? I always just fill my truck every time I get fuel. Is it a weight thing?

[@adamedgar5765]

I can think of another reason for aircraft fuel related accidents...not using a static line when refueling them. Where is your static line at 1.50?

[@vk3hau]

$ 5 per USGallon that's $1.32 per AUS litre, that's cheaper than car fuel over here in Australia, it's like $ 1.45 per litre for normal unleaded fuel.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

How about $7.50/gal at my home airport? ;P

[@jimflys2]

It is a little know fact that to FAA certify fuel gauges, they only have the requirement to read accurate WHEN EMPTY! This probably has to do with facts you pointed out such as dihedral, tank shape and non-linear reading etc. But yeah, when they read empty they are indeed accurate. Thanks for the video - Jim CFI

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

A little known fact that appears all over the comment section, haha ;) Glad you enjoyed the video! :)

[@Farmboyspence]

I burst out laughing just reading that title

[@vironpayne3405]

If its a longer flight, fill your tanks. Run a timer. Run one tank until its dry and the engine stops. Switch to the other tank and know you should be on the ground at 80%-90% of you runtime on the first tank. Variations being weather and availability of airports. If you keep switching back and forth between tanks you will never get an accurate 50% fuel runtime. You top off both tanks and run one dry you will know within a couple minutes your fuel runtime.

[@MidnightMechanic]

Nothing worse than banking a turn and the engine stalls from lack of fuel, just like with a car, any sloshing motion during a turn can starve the fuel pump and engine with a near empty tank, and'll run fine on a flat surface. Just because the fuel gauge says quarter tank, doesn't mean that the fuel baffles will stabilize the fuel enough to make a turn and not starve the engine for fuel.

[@Contrajoe]

I'd wager gear-up belly flops are more embarassing. Don't even have to run out of fuel, just have to wonder "why is gear horn going off at low power setting???" #HurrDurr

[@mtlassen1992]

I take blood pressure meds(diuretic) and, while you are concerned with fuel levels, I am more worried about my bladder level. What happens when you bring a coffee drinker on board? The problem is real my friend!

[@DobermansRock]

As a 60 guy in the Army we had a saying. Never pass gas. All the private pilots who do not top off before take off. Shall meet whatever fait awaits. If you think doing fancy fuel calculations are going to keep you alive while you save fuel weight. You should not be a pilot.

[@stevemyers2092]

ALWAYS use a PAINT STIRRING STICK marked out in 1/4 1/2 3/4 4/4

[@MrSupercar55]

When you refuel a plane, it's not like refueling your car where you fill it up until the pump cuts out. You only carry enough jungle juice to complete your journey and a bit extra in case you miss the runway or are redirected to another airport, be it due to bad weather or a security incident (i.e. bomb scare). What sometimes causes fuel exhaustion is if a mechanical issue causes the engines to run rich and burn more fuel than is necessary, such as in the plane crash in 1977 that more or less sealed the deal for the Alabama rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

[@TimTVOfficial]

So much real stuff... I arrived to an airport after my first Long Cross-Country Solo Flight from California to the Border of Arizona (Blythe) through California's Bermuda Dunes. Their fuel station was closed when I arrived, but I luckily had enough fuel remaining to land and refill at Banning Airport in California... if they weren't open, I would've been stuck in that area... and a bit mad.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Same situation here! I guess we can both applaud ourselves for carrying enough fuel for "contingencies", or a stop for dinner, in my case :)

[@hhperkeo]

I never trust the fuel gauge! My flight instructor told me once that for certification they only need to show one correct measurement...sadly that is empty!

[@SirRawtcha]

That beautiful TBM behind you..

[@erichildebrandt9490]

Setting a timer for the tanks is not just a recommendation when you have a Cherokee 6 with four tanks.

[@miporsche]

I fly a Cessna 150 J with standard tanks. I have approximately 4 hours burn time on full tanks. I never fly over 3 hours. If I’m not sure how much time I have in the tanks at the start, I add the amount I plan to use. FAA regs require 30 minutes reserve for day visual flight, 45 minutes reserve if flying on an instrument flight plan.

[@RayleighCriterion]

Poorly designed engines that are heavy, anemic and fuel inefficient are also to blame. Duke Engines is in the process of designing an axial engine that produces the same horsepower as the Lycoming O-360, but displaces only 2 litres and not 5.92 litres, and weighs only 101 lbs and not 258 lbs like the O-360.

[@Mark-oj8wj]

At least every 30 minutes check fuel on board v predicted consumption to detect both fuel leaks and variations in actual fuel consumption compared to predicted.

[@moto__shark]

I ran out of gas on my bike twice.

[@Soordhin]

Standard Operating Procedure on my slightly larger bird: check fuel status (fuel on board, fuel used against planned burn and planned remaining) every 30 minutes or every waypoint, whichever is the longer period. Now, that is kinda easy on an IFR with a pre-known route, waypoints, step by step fuel calculation and so on, not to mention we don't have to switch tanks, the aircraft does that by itself. But a check roughly every 30 minutes on a VFR flight sounds like a very sensible idea. It always surprised me how inaccurate the fuel gauges were on small GA aircraft, that in itself is a real danger, especially if maintenance has been dodgy and the fuel tank and sensor might not be in the best working order anymore.

[@peterselander477]

Soordhin iii

[@n5378w]

I switch tanks according to the minute hand. 12-6 right tank/ 6-12 left tank.

[@arierickson6137]

I think the most embarrasing way to crash would be to forget to lower your gear ( not CANT lower your gear but forget) or to land your aircraft inverted.

[@jeffdo9195]

Did you check notams?? Probably would have told u fuel was out of service

[@asdfasdf4345artsdfg]

That's crazy how they still use floats like that; can't they have something digital?

[@jackwilliams5223]

Just always fill it up. Thats what I do in my car. I drive gas guzzlers.

[@tombowers2020]

Switch tanks at the top and bottom of the hour, then fullest on landing. Problem solved.

[@ericheine2414]

The most embarrassing way to crash a plane is to forget to put your landing gear down.

[@rajinbin]

This is such a simple thing, but so many GA accidents happen because of not enough fuel.

[@mathildechevalier3976]

Scenario league where weird guidance familiar Japanese accomplish.

[@mgr6v382]

Did the airport have a NOTAM issued noting fuel out of service?

[@jerm4336]

Set a timer??? Line up a bunch of timers above the dash to check each gauge. 😂 Just follow the historic training. Scan your gauges always.

[@xjcrossx]

Changing a lightbulb was pretty ridiculous.

[@rubes3927]

Always dip and visually inspect your tanks, drain after every refueling, and triple check your fuel calculations especially when converting from imperial to metric as we constantly have to do in australia flying american built aircraft.

[@robinmyman]

I pre flight my plane before lesson only to discover one tank about half full and the other empty. What happened to FREDA on previous flight?

[@brianbrewster6532]

Why don't you trim your tanks as a habit every 30 minutes? Wouldn't that also make your plane more stable in flight?

[@ChimkenNuggers]

In the 172s I fly the gauges don't even work. We just use a dip stick or a fuel straw thing. I'd never trust the gauges anyways. lol

[@paulnbrenbeven7972]

I'm not a pilot but I operate heavy machinery n I was taught that you should check all your gauges every few minutes to spot problems before they become critical.

[@UncleKennysPlace]

Stick the tanks with a calibrated straw and use power settings and time to calculate fuel burn. I've never even considered those gauges as useful.