When To Switch Tanks?

In the Top Five Tips and Traps article of the November 2017 issue, I disagree slightly with the statement that once an engine is started, take off on the selected tank and only switch to another one while airborne. The premise is a good one, but I have been in the habit of immediately switching tanks after engine start. My theory being that if the engine started fine on one tank, that tank is probably fine.

Editorial Staff

Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A reader suggests switching fuel tanks immediately after engine start on the ground to confirm proper function, rather than waiting until airborne or just before takeoff.
Another reader reinforces the importance of using a pulse oximeter alongside supplemental oxygen when flying above 10,000 feet MSL to actively monitor blood oxygen levels and prevent hypoxia.
The article notes that advanced cockpit technology, while beneficial, can tempt VFR pilots to push flight limits into conditions better suited for IFR flight.
The editor defends articles on single-pilot jets, explaining that many of the concerns raised apply broadly to pilots transitioning from piston aircraft to more accessible turbine-powered aircraft like turboprops.

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In the “Top Five Tips and Traps” article of the November 2017 issue, I disagree slightly with the statement that “once an engine is started, take off on the selected tank and only switch to another one while airborne.” The premise is a good one, but I have been in the habit of immediately switching tanks after engine start. My theory being that if the engine started fine on one tank, that tank is probably fine.

By switching tanks before I even start moving for the run-up, I avoid the problem of improperly switching tanks just prior to takeoff while still effectively proving that both are working. This procedure could be suitably modified to work with more than two tanks.