Extending Your Fuel Efficiency

Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 08:45 PM ET

Verified

** The best way to stretch fuel is to slow down.
It can be a case of diminishing returns, but
sometimes a few extra miles means a lot.**

Key Takeaways:

Pilots may encounter unexpected situations requiring them to extend their aircraft's range, necessitating rational analysis rather than relying solely on minimal legal fuel reserves.
The most impactful methods for increasing range involve optimizing speed (flying near the best-range speed, typically 40-50% above clean stalling speed, adjusted for headwind) and meticulously leaning the mixture to the lean side of peak EGT, which can save fuel without harming the engine.
Other factors include minimizing headwind by selecting optimal altitude, and slightly improving efficiency by reducing RPM on constant-speed propellers at reduced power settings; however, these techniques should supplement, not replace, thorough flight planning and adequate fuel loading.

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It ought not to be true, but it is: In every pilot’s life there comes a moment when he wishes he had a little more fuel.

Perhaps the headwind was stronger than forecast; the gauges have dropped below a quarter sooner than you hoped they would; the descent and climb for an en route stop to drop off a passenger used up more fuel than you expected; you took a detour around weather; or your planning was careless in the first place. Whatever the reason, you find yourself in that awkward spot: a certain distance from your destination, with a certain amount of fuel and with a nagging worry about where those needles will be pointing when you arrive.