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 low fuel situations requiring range extension, influenced by factors like headwind, chosen speed, fuel consumption, and propeller efficiency.
Optimizing speed is the most powerful tool for extending range; flying at the best-range speed (approximately 40-50% above clean stalling speed) can increase range by up to one-third, albeit at a significantly reduced airspeed.
Other fuel conservation methods include correctly leaning the mixture (even lean of peak EGT at reduced power, contrary to some myths) and reducing propeller RPM for constant-speed propellers.
While thorough flight planning is paramount, understanding these range-stretching techniques is crucial given that legal fuel reserves are often minimal and running out of fuel carries severe consequences.

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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.