Minimum Takeoff Fuel?

[flyguy]

Re: Minimum Takeoff Fuel?

Bill,
The downward angle of the bottom of the tank to the drain on the BC12 is very slight when the aircraft is sitting on the ground. If you were going up hill I would not be surprised if you might uncover the fuel drain.
The plane will fly more or less level right down to the last spoonful, and it will drain completely empty just sitting on the ground, but I could see killing it going up a slight encline.
Dano's experience sounds like the same thing.
It is a bit conservative, but 1/2 tank on the main is my TAKEOFF limit. I don't think a 1/4 would be risky though.
Darryl

[af1zaf1z]

Re: Minimum Takeoff Fuel?

Of course theres a known issue- the FAR's concerning minimum VFR fuel reserves! If you had the ability to add fuel before takeoff, and knew unporting was a possibility, youve got your stupid clearance to go.
Mark Munson N44103

[VictorBravo]

Re: Minimum Takeoff Fuel?

I estimated I had at least two gallons on board, because there are supposed to be two gallons left when the wire is hanging on the fuel cap in level flight. When I arrived at the airport there was half an inch or more showing in level flight. So assuming that none had leaked out while I was parked, it was reasonable to assume that I had slightly in excess of two gallons on board when I was taxiing out. On a ten minute flight back to my home base, two gallons should have been pretty close to VFR reserve depending on power setting.

I'm not saying it was the brightest decision I ever made, I'm saying that if there is a half hour's worth of fuel in an airplane it probably should not have quit on the taxiway.

[dennispip]

Re: Minimum Takeoff Fuel?

I am very glad that you safely made it down and were on the taxiway when it quit.

I believe we all can learn from this, however.

Assumptions and estimations should be "RedFlags" whenever they are applied to aircraft in motion. Try and catch yourself whenever that word comes up in your mind. Make sure.

"Low" is a word that can bite you when it comes to airplanes. Low fuel; flying Low (unknown towers, wires, hills, birds, the ground, etc. come up real quickly especially in turns & in aircraft with restricted visibility); Low visibility & Low ceilings while flying VFR, flying from high pressure and temps into Low pressure and temps (high to Low, look out below); letting the airspeed get too Low; Low oil levels or oil pressure; extremely Low temperatures, Low oxygen (hypoxia), Low pressure weather systems. These are some of the things that quickly pop up in my mind that I have learned during my experience flying over the past 25 years and I imagine there are other Lows to beware of.

This is not to create paralysis by analysis either, just food for thought. We do have to remember that there are some inexperienced pilots reading this website and some of the things guys write about here are not intended for the average pilot. Enjoy flying everyone and be safety concious!

[VictorBravo]

Re: Minimum Takeoff Fuel?

Dennis you are correct, and everyone else here is URGED to have a good scare at my personal stupidity and then learn something from it. One of the most important tools to carry in these airplanes is a calibrated stick so you can have a completely accurate reading before you takeoff. And yes, based on my last experience and the opinions expressed on this thread it appears that three or four gallons should be considered a minimum takeoff requirement.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Minimum Takeoff Fuel?

Bill, you took your whipping with great humility. I think the thread deviated from the technical to the philosophical but agree that running out of gas is scary and an "almost" during my private pilot long cross country 30+ years ago made me permanently paranoid about being low on fuel.

[dennispip]

Re: Minimum Takeoff Fuel?

Most every pilot who has flown has had things happen that could have turned out badly. Those who haven't just need to accumulate a little more experience. The "Never Again" series of articles in Flying Magazine come to mind. I don't think anyone in this thread meant anything derogatory to any individual. Bill is an invaluable contributor to this forum. I think this thread has been one of his best, really. I always enjoy reading everything he has to say, even if it is at times a little spicy and written from the heart!

Keeping the airplane in the air allows one continued learning opportunities!

[dewhitaker]

Re: Minimum Takeoff Fuel?

Nice discussion guys! I too am an advocate of the calibrated dipstick, use mine faithfully every time before takeoff. Personally never takeoff with less than 4 gallons. Since I fuel the Butterfly from 5 gallon cans, I like to know how much I have prior to filling so I do not overflow fuel as stated by Joel.

I also keep my cork clipped up out of the fuel when not in use, helps to prevent deterioration and saturating of the cork with fuel. Just remember to unclip it when doing the pre flight.