Santa Paula Airport is a 20-minute flight from my home base, Whiteman Airport. The fuel there is $1.25 per gallon cheaper, however, so when I’m flying around the local area, I often stop at Santa Paula to refuel. The precise economics of fuel tourism are an SAT-level problem, but if I’m over Santa Paula anyway, I figure the extra landing and takeoff can’t cost me more than 10 bucks.
Living Vicariously—and Safely
Key Takeaways:
- After refueling, the author's airplane engine became stuck at high power due to a slipping throttle butterfly shaft, an issue he realized had been subtly heralded for months by an ignored throttle lag.
- This experience highlighted a human tendency to rationalize unexplained problems and relieve anxiety rather than thoroughly investigate potential issues.
- The author's calm and immediate response to the engine emergency was attributed to vicarious learning from a friend's past experience, underscoring the value of shared narratives in preparing pilots for critical situations.
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