Do you check fuel before every flight? (POLL)

[201er]

We were discussing fuel sumping in another topic so I'm curious in addition to that if folks look into their fuel tanks before they fly. Especially for the folks who don't pour the fuel back in (for one reason or another), do you still make the effort to open each cap and check the fuel level? What about if you just stop for a hamburger, do you check then? When do you not check?

[triple8s]

I follow the preflight checklist, carry it in my hand walking around the plane like a newbie student. Been flying since 1996 flown this particular Mooney since 2008, still use checklist everytime.

[jetdriven]

It depends for me. If it is less than about 3" from the top of the tanks, and I am flying less than two hours, I look  inside the wing, at the flight log, check that against the fuel guages, and go.  The flight log is copied from the totalizer every flight and in 200 hours it has been within one gallon.  Othee than that, and espeically if I am going to need the range, I measure it with the stick, compare that to the totalizer for accuracy, then crosscheck that to the fuel guages. All 3 must agree.

Stopping for a few minutes and taking no fuel? I dont open the caps. I know where the fuel is.

 

[co2bruce]

I make sure I have enough fuel for the flight plus reserves. An old pilot mentor once told me " the only time you have too much fuel is when your on fire". I can't get that out of my head. 

[WardHolbrook]

Quote: co2bruce

I make sure I have enough fuel for the flight plus reserves. An old pilot mentor once told me " the only time you have too much fuel is when your on fire". I can't get that out of my head. 

[Ned Gravel]

Every time.  No exceptions.  Loss of engine caused by lack of fuel scares me.

[Jerry 5TJ]

I always check the tanks before flying off. 

I visulalize how it would look in the NTSB report -- "pilot reported he was sure he had enough fuel..." and that, if nothing else, motivates me to dip the fuel tanks and measure fuel on board. 

 

[BorealOne]

I have the extended range Monroy tanks - you can't dip them, and when < 20 gallons per side, it looks like empty when you open the caps. I rely, in order of priority, on the fuel slip, the totalizer, the external tank guages and last of all, the cockpit guages to determine how much I've got on board. Opening the caps doesn't do it unless I'm getting close to full, in which case, the plane's range will well exceed my own.

 

[DaV8or]

I always look in the tanks. If the gas is at or above the 25 gal tabs and it looks close to what the MVP-50 says, then that's it. If it's below the tabs and I have a ways to go, then I use my dip stick. Since I went digital with the MVP-50, the fuel readings are very, very accurate.

[SkyPilot]

You would have to be nuts or suicidal not to. I hauled a once nice DeHavilland Dragon Rapide on Floats back to Winnipeg from Prince Rupert BC. The pilot had filled the tanks and taken off. Once airborne, he had to turn around due to bad weather. Next morning, knowing he had filled the tanks, but not knowing somebody had stolen his fuel, he took off again, and made it to Digby Island before running out....

Besides, before I fixed my leaks, I would lose about 20 liters over a few days parked.

[BlueSkyTraveler]

I do check the tanks out of habit, just one of those  things. If I have 5.5 hours of fuel on board and it is a 20 minute flight, I don't dip the tanks but I still do a visual on the tanks, with the plane being 45 years old I think it pays to be constanly curious and suspicious of everything. I try to be vigilant and aware regarding any small changes in behavior or appearances when it comes to "Molly" my theory  is-- I take care of her and she'll take care of me.

[lahso]

I keep track of fuel used by my watch, and note times and which tank used, so I have a good idea of amount used/left in each tank. This helps in the eye-balling process.

[MARZ]

Always - I have too many other things to be concentrating on - I've been known to take on 5 gallons to bring it to the tabs for a one hour flight - I can assure you I'll never be "that guy"

Funny thing about fuel, it costs the same to keep the tanks full as it does empty, just a matter of timing !

[jdrake]

I generally keep the plane topped up and always check before the first flight of the day.

[Hank]

If I'm going much more than an hour, and I haven't just filled the tanks, I'll dip them both. On a feed run, typically 0.9 round-trip, I'll dip one side; if it has 13-14 gallons or more, I'll only look in the other side. For the return trip after eating, knowing I took off with enough, I won't check again. If both tanks are ~10 or so, I'll fly out on one tank and back on the other if the weather is CAVU, otherwise I'll fill up first.

I'm also religious about setting the red hands on the clock and switching every hour when travelling. After almost five years, I pretty well know how much she uses.

[Seth]

I do not use a dipstick.  I check the tanks before EVERY flight, even if I haven't filled up and it is a quick turn around.  I have fuel flow and also know exactly when I filled up, and keep a log of how much fuel I put in and when.  Often, I do not top off anymore as I have a 98 gallon capacity before every flight, but do top off the mains often enough.  I like to fly with at least one, if not multple hours of fligth time, in reserve. 

After listening to the members on this board, I do now sump before every single flight, again, even quick turn arounds.  If the engine is stopped, I sump and visually inspect.  If there is way less gas then there should be, then I know there is an issue.

-Seth 

[fantom]

Open'em up, check, and take a deep breath. Great wake up ;-)

[201er]

Quote: maropers

Funny thing about fuel, it costs the same to keep the tanks full as it does empty, just a matter of timing !

[Immelman]

I dipstick each tank and write out my FOB @ start in each tank, and make a little fuel plan. Eyevballing it is OK if FULL otherwise, I dipstick. This is backed up with the totalizer/fuel flow meter in my engine monitor. The gauges... they like to bounce around.

[WardHolbrook]

Quote: co2bruce

...An old pilot mentor once told me " the only time you have too much fuel is when your on fire"...

[flight2000]

Quote: 201er

Could cost your life keeping them full when bringing a big load on board

[flight2000]

Quote: WardHolbrook

Honestly, how many feel like it's OK to takeoff a little over the max allowable weight and if so, by how much?

[scottfromiowa]

I literally remove each cap and "dip-stick for quantity" each tank before every flight.  I know for a FACT what the fuel quantity was in each tank at start-up.  I set my fuel computer to the quantity of fuel and or confirm that the burn is accurate from computer (used).  I also set a wind-up Vietnam chronograph that has a separate "timer" minute hand so I know how long I have been flying on the tank.  My 696 has an audible and visual alarm (in head-set and on screen) saying "SWITCH TANKS" that goes off after 1 hour and ten minutes post start-up.  The start-up to take-off usually varies by about ten minutes.  I love the peace-of-mind that comes from KNOWING what fuel was and is.  I HAVE entered the Gear Up club...NOT going into the run-it out of fuel club. 

[MARZ]

Quote: flight2000

Honestly, how many feel like it's OK to takeoff a little over the max allowable weight and if so, by how much?

[FlyWalt]

I, ABSOLUTELY, check the tanks visually before every flight.