Greg Copeland wrote:
Again, this sounds like an accident caused by poor planning. This is not
what I'm talking about. Poor fuel management is poor fuel management.
Let's not confuse the two.


My bad. I absolutely agree it was caused by poor fuel management. I also
concede your point that the article is about *intentionally* running the tank
dry to squeeze every drop.


Deakin specifically addresses the issue with passengers on board. In his
opinion, proper passenger briefing, a timer, and calm behavior on part of
the pilot is key.


I don't care how calm the pilot is: the average passenger isn't enough in love
with aviation to tolerate this. You can brief all you want. Some people fear
spiders no matter how beneficial you tell them they might be. It's the same way
when the engine quits, particularly when you have no control over the matter.
Ever been driving in the mountains going a little too fast around the curves?
The driver doesn't mind... he's got his hands on the wheel and is in control.
It's a whole 'nother thing for the passengers.



If I were trying to stretch a flight and even then only if I were alone,
I might consider running one dry. But I have to tell you: running a
tank dry in a Cherokee results in te longest 30 seconds of your life. I
ran a C-210 tank dry once and almost the second I hit the boost after
switching the fuel selector I got a restart. Not so in the Cherokee...
it takes a while. A loooong while. Kind of scarey.

If you have not done so, please read his article and see what you think. I
must say, my impression of your position is one of fear not one of reason.
Am I wrong?


Yes. I've run tanks dry many times in both high and low wing airplanes. It
doesn't bother me especially except in rough IFR when my hands are already busy.


I must admit, I certainly would not expect something like a 30-second
delay. I would expect something more in line of a couple of seconds at
most. Perhaps it was a could of seconds but felt like 30?


No, perhaps it was 30 seconds. Go run a tank dry in a PA-32R and tell me how
long it takes to restart. If you want a 2 second restart, fly a Cessna single.

Come back and question me again after you've actually done this.




--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE