Readback: April 2010

In response to your article What is Minimum Fuel? (Feb 2010 IFR):I believe that the single most important thing to do at your first thought that you may be running tight on fuel is to slow down to your max range power setting-which is about 40-percent power in most small planes-and lean to 50-degrees lean of peak EGT. This will allow you to fly the longest distance with the remaining fuel before you drop from the sky. The distance is what is important, not the time.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, January 06, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

When facing low fuel, immediately slow to max range power (approx. 40% power, 50 LOP) and declare minimum fuel at 45 minutes or an emergency at 30 minutes; FAA enforcement is unlikely unless gross negligence or major traffic disruption occurs.
Be aware of dangerous operational differences in critical instruments, such as the opposite roll indicator displays between piston (e.g., Garmin 1000) and jet aircraft, which can lead to confusion in high-stress situations.
Adhere strictly to minimum climb gradients and obstacle identification surfaces (OIS) during single-engine operations in IMC; relying on VFR charts or operating below minimums is considered irresponsible due to severe potential consequences.
If a navaid crucial for a missed approach is unavailable, ATC should issue alternate instructions, and pilots should query them for clarification if uncertain.

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Low Fuel Tactics
In response to your article “What is Minimum Fuel?” (Feb 2010 IFR):

I believe that the single most important thing to do at your first thought that you may be running tight on fuel is to slow down to your max range power setting—which is about 40-percent power in most small planes—and lean to 50-degrees lean of peak EGT. This will allow you to fly the longest distance with the remaining fuel before you drop from the sky. The distance is what is important, not the time.