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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!ucsfcgl!pixar!good
From: good@pixar.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Switching Fuel Tanks
Message-ID: <2578@pixar.pixar>
Date: Fri, 14-Mar-86 14:32:56 EST
Article-I.D.: pixar.2578
Posted: Fri Mar 14 14:32:56 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 18-Mar-86 01:40:33 EST
References: <7900035@uiucdcs>
Organization: Pixar -- Marin County, California
Lines: 31

In article <7900035@uiucdcs>, keifer@uiucdcs.CS.UIUC.EDU writes:
> 
> Why don't they make airplanes so that both fuel tanks supply fuel to
> the engine at the same time?  Seems like this would make things a lot
> easier.  You wouldn't forget to switch tanks, since you wouldn't have
> to.
> 

	I'm sure that Cessna pilots are going to mention the fact that many
high-wing planes do indeed have a "both" fuel selector position.  This is
generally practicable only when using gravity to move the gas around.  Low-
wing planes tend to have the off-left-right variety.  Whatever you fly, make
darn sure you know which your plane has.  Some high-wing planes do have an
"off" position.  Some very short flights have resulted from fuel selector
confusion.

	Checking that this selector moves, and is coupled to the knob, is
the *very first* item on the pre-flight I was taught.  This is the result of
learning about an accident where a pilot was flying IFR, took off on one tank,
ran it near dry and then went to switch tanks.  The selector knob sheared off
the shaft and he died in a fuel-starvation induced crash with a full tank of
fuel in one wing.

	A very helpful technique I've found for remembering to switch tanks
is to watch the minute hand on the clock.  If the hand is on the right side
of the dial, use the right tank.  When it is on the left side, use the left
tank.  This gets you a switch every 30 minutes which, in the Warrior at least,
is just peachy for keeping the weight balanced, etc.

		--Craig
		...ucbvax!pixar!good