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 pilot suggests switching fuel tanks immediately after engine start, rather than just before takeoff, to verify functionality and prevent potential engine issues during flight.
Pilots flying above 10,000 feet msl should use a pulse oximeter in conjunction with supplemental oxygen to effectively monitor blood oxygen levels and prevent hypoxia.
The increasing affordability of turbine-powered aircraft (jets and turboprops) makes them more accessible to pilots, highlighting the continued relevance of training and safety discussions for those transitioning from piston aircraft.
Advanced cockpit technology, while enhancing safety, can tempt VFR pilots to fly in weather conditions that are better suited for IFR operations.

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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.