I've just started instrument training (again) for the third time. Maybe this time is the charm.
Part of the introduction to instruments included the statement that I've heard many times from CFIs that the fuel gauge is only required to be accurate when it reads empty. It wasn't until I read the FARs for myself that I learned that it is also required to be relatively accurate throughout its range. No one told me that.
The upshot is that I have thought that the fuel indicator is completely unreliable and even felt guilty whenever I would check it to see whether there was sufficient fuel to continue flying. With the thought, "Well, it doesn't read 'empty' so there must be fuel in it," I continue on.
When I asked Hubby about it, he said that the statement is made that way so that pilots will do the fuel calculations. I have actually done the fuel calculations simply because I was told to. Silly me.
Anyway, in thinking about it, none of the instruments in my cockpit are required to be 100% accurate in any part of their range except the fuel indicator. This is not stressed either. OK, my lesson on Saturday was stressing it. We were taking a look at all the errors in the instruments. The heading indicator must be adjusted to the compass every 30 minutes or after you think it may have gotten screwy. The compass is inaccurate when climbing, descending, or turning. The altimeter is adjusted according to an ATIS or ASOS whenever the heading indicator is adjusted. The right wing in my turn coordinator rides a little high. The attitude indicator is also a little off. We all know there are a variety of ways the airspeed indicator is incorrect. The final invocation is, "BELIEVE IN YOUR INSTRUMENTS, NOT YOUR BODY."
Except the fuel indicator? Why is there such a stress on its inaccuracy that checking it is not taught? Which leads to the question of how often should it be checked? My guess is that it should be included in the half-hourly check of heading indicator and altimeter.
Come to think of it, there are a number of gauges over there on the right side or under the yoke that I haven't been taught how to use. How often should I be checking the voltage indicator, the OAT, the CHT, the suction gauge? What should I be checking for?
Part of the introduction to instruments included the statement that I've heard many times from CFIs that the fuel gauge is only required to be accurate when it reads empty. It wasn't until I read the FARs for myself that I learned that it is also required to be relatively accurate throughout its range. No one told me that.
The upshot is that I have thought that the fuel indicator is completely unreliable and even felt guilty whenever I would check it to see whether there was sufficient fuel to continue flying. With the thought, "Well, it doesn't read 'empty' so there must be fuel in it," I continue on.
When I asked Hubby about it, he said that the statement is made that way so that pilots will do the fuel calculations. I have actually done the fuel calculations simply because I was told to. Silly me.
Anyway, in thinking about it, none of the instruments in my cockpit are required to be 100% accurate in any part of their range except the fuel indicator. This is not stressed either. OK, my lesson on Saturday was stressing it. We were taking a look at all the errors in the instruments. The heading indicator must be adjusted to the compass every 30 minutes or after you think it may have gotten screwy. The compass is inaccurate when climbing, descending, or turning. The altimeter is adjusted according to an ATIS or ASOS whenever the heading indicator is adjusted. The right wing in my turn coordinator rides a little high. The attitude indicator is also a little off. We all know there are a variety of ways the airspeed indicator is incorrect. The final invocation is, "BELIEVE IN YOUR INSTRUMENTS, NOT YOUR BODY."
Except the fuel indicator? Why is there such a stress on its inaccuracy that checking it is not taught? Which leads to the question of how often should it be checked? My guess is that it should be included in the half-hourly check of heading indicator and altimeter.
Come to think of it, there are a number of gauges over there on the right side or under the yoke that I haven't been taught how to use. How often should I be checking the voltage indicator, the OAT, the CHT, the suction gauge? What should I be checking for?