Kyle Boatright
Well Known Member
Historically, the power setting I use, combined with my leaning technique (good or bad), has resulted in a fuel flow of 8 GPH.
On the way back from OSH I wanted to verify the fuel burn with my new Pmag which replaced an Electroair.
Anyway, I got to altitude and flew on the right tank for an hour. Then switched to the left tank (which was absolutely full) and set the timer. I estimated 2:22 of fuel burn (19 gallons @ 8 GPH) until the tank ran dry. As I closed in on that time, two things happened.
First, the airplane became far enough out of trim (one hour of fuel burn on one side, 2:15 or thereabouts on the other), that the autopilot lost track. A little help from the spring trim on the ailerons and the autopilot was happy again.
Second, at 2:21 on the left tank, the fuel pressure indication began to drop (I already had the electric pump on). So I switched back to the right tank and completed the flight home.
I am pretty impressed at how consistant my 8 GPH cruise fuel burn is. From a practical standpoint, that means I have 4 hours of fuel plus a 40 something minute reserve.
On the way back from OSH I wanted to verify the fuel burn with my new Pmag which replaced an Electroair.
Anyway, I got to altitude and flew on the right tank for an hour. Then switched to the left tank (which was absolutely full) and set the timer. I estimated 2:22 of fuel burn (19 gallons @ 8 GPH) until the tank ran dry. As I closed in on that time, two things happened.
First, the airplane became far enough out of trim (one hour of fuel burn on one side, 2:15 or thereabouts on the other), that the autopilot lost track. A little help from the spring trim on the ailerons and the autopilot was happy again.
Second, at 2:21 on the left tank, the fuel pressure indication began to drop (I already had the electric pump on). So I switched back to the right tank and completed the flight home.
I am pretty impressed at how consistant my 8 GPH cruise fuel burn is. From a practical standpoint, that means I have 4 hours of fuel plus a 40 something minute reserve.