In the spring of 1984, I was 23 and a new pilot, with barely 120 hours. While planning a trip that would include my wife and another couple, I called the FBO to ask about the amount of fuel burn on the Piper Warrior I had rented for the flight. I was advised the Warrior burns eight gph in cruise at 9500 feet msl and, with that information, I completed my flight planning and we all met at the airport.
The attendant fueled the Warrior up to the tabs, plus an additional five gallons in each wing, giving us 44 gallons for the flight-planned 04:45 flight. We departed shortly after 4:00 pm on a beautiful clear day.
