Are We Out Of Fuel Over The Ocean?
Channel: Over 50 and Learning To Fly!
Date: 2022-08-10

Are We Out Of Fuel?

Whether over the water or over land this is a perfect example of why you want to plan out your x-country trips down to the last detail… whether you are going across the state of out of the country. Plan Plan Plan - because problems happen and  you need to be prepared. You need a plan B C D E and F to make sure you have everything covered.

This was the first leg of the C-206 delivery to Manaus Brazil, and it was from FXE to Provo, Turks and Caicos – refuel and then on to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for day 1.   We started off with 100 gallons of fuel at Fort Lauderdale and had planned for landing in Provo with 2 hours of fuel / 29 gallons remaining ….

You want to be prepared for any emergency,  because if it can happen, chances are it will…  and it did.   About an hour into the flight I was looking at the fuel gauges and something didn’t appear right.

The issue:  Do we have a leak?  In just under 2 hours of flight at 12.9 gallons an hour our gauges told us we had only 2 hours/ 30 gallons of fuel left- we needed to get on the ground and verify -  do we have a leak, or it is failed fuel senders.     

w-  if you have to stop for an em emergency Nassau is the place- the FBO is beautiful-  they were extremely helpful and all we really needed to do was to dip out tanks-  if we had all of our fuel  we would gas up and go.   If not, we would see how bad the leak is and plan from there.

After a quick tank dip-we had all of our fuel- disaster averted – a bonus bathroom stop and we were off.

It was only a 45 minute delay, but the peace of mind knowing that we did not have a fuel leak was priceless.    Now off to Turks and Caicos and the DR…  and you will find out what you need to fly your own airplane throughout the Caribbean…. which you will see in the next program!

Yes! I bought an airplane! This program has some initial numbers and breaks down the monthly expenses. Owning an airplane can be affordable... but the upgrades....  That is what will get me.  Watch this program to find out what ownership costs.

Have you always wanted to learn how to fly but now you are over 50?  Get out there and start and learn! There are so many people in there 50's and 60's who are just starting to fly so what are you waiting for?