One of the most preventable types of general aviation accidents continues to happen at a rate of more than one a week. Whether due to fuel exhaustion, fuel starvation, poor flight planning, or a combination of these factors, fuel management is a topic all pilots should spend more time discussing ways to avoid that type of accident. It’s an ideal topic for your next flying club meeting, and the AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI) has a new video to show your club to get the conversation started.
Fuel Management Made Easy, sponsored by Air BP, shows that even bad habits from driving can transfer to flying. But no one intends to run out of fuel, and most pilots who have dipped into their fuel reserves vow never to do it again. Still, at nearly 70 fuel-related general aviation accidents per year, fuel mismanagement warrants concern.
The ASI video offers fueling tips and explores best practices to monitor fuel consumption and manage fuel systems. Viewers will learn about using personal minimums and fuel planning tools to predict actual versus planned time en route. While the Federal Aviation Regulations provide minimum fuel reserve requirements, the Air Safety Institute recommends you land with at least one hour of fuel on board for every flight.
The video provides several important examples of fuel-related accidents that can serve as a reminder why safe mindsets and habits can prevent fuel exhaustion or starvation.
For additional fuel management safety products, including quizzes, videos, and publications, visit ASI’s Fuel Management Safety Spotlight.
Safe pilots are always learning, and the Air Safety Institute’s goal is to ensure pilots have a wealth of information to keep flying safely. Our educational programs are funded through donations from pilots dedicated to forwarding that mission. Show your support by donating to the AOPA Foundation today.
