Fuel Prices and their Effect on Your Flying

I did some checking around my area today (thanks www.100ll.com) about
what the fuel prices are, and was surprised to learn that my home base
(KTYQ) is charging $4.47 (the highest in the area), and that includes
our based-on-the-field discount. That is up around $1.00 from a little
over a year ago and it has forced me into several revelations.

First I decided that we can get fuel elsewhere for much cheaper. Within
a 10 minute flight I found it $1.00 cheaper @ $3.47. To me that is worth
the drive... errrr... ahhhhh... flight to go somewhere else.

Second my partner and I decided to hike our per-hour costs from $75.00
and hour to $85.00 an hour wet as a sort of fuel-surcharge. If and when
the prices retreat (historically they have) we'll revisit the charges.
My theory is that it is better to have too much in the bank than too little.

Third I am now learning and practicing everything I can about Lean of
Peak (LOP) operations in order to save money on fuel. I have found that
in cruise I can save many gallons-per-hour by twisting the red knob
until the EGT's peak and then get to 10-20 degrees on the other side of
peak temperatures. I know that this will not work for everyone but for
my IO-360 it gives me a cool, smooth running engine that is only
drinking 9.5 GPH.

Have higher fuel prices forced you to adjust your operations? I'm sure
that over the years when fuel prices have peaked, folks have made
changes, but since I am a new owner (working on our second year) it is
my first experience at spiking prices. So what say you?

Jon Kraus
'79 Mooney 201
4443H @ TYQ