Practically it makes no difference for the reason you state. But because
the fuel gauge is required equipment technically you would be flying
illegally.

"Philip Sondericker" wrote in message
...
in article , Yossarian at
wrote on 11/15/03 9:36 AM:

I understand that functional fuel gauges are required equipment for day
VFR
flight. Yesterday during my preflight in a 172 I saw that the right
gauge
was functioning intermittently--it would show full, flicker down to
zero,
bounce around, etc. Tank was visually confirmed full. Mechanic messed
around with it for a while to no effect.

Would you fly this airplane?

Since we are taught from day 1 of our flight lessons to never trust the
gas
gauge anyway, what difference does it make?