All,
I am working on the IR and, as part of that, I am reviewing regs, etc.
In addition to the instruments required for instrument flight, all VFR day/night requirements also apply. As I haven't reviewed that in a while, I reacquainted myself with our favorite acronym, "A Tomato Flames."
As we all (should) know, having Fuel gauges is one of the requirements. In reviewing the FAR/AIM, I see there is no requirement that the gauges be either electric or 'physical' (e.g. a sight glass). This makes sense since many of us have electric gauges, but older planes such as the Stearman have physical site glasses to measure fuel quantity.
Now, before every flight, part of my pre-flight is to check that my gauges are operational and (roughly) accurate by comparing what the electric gauges indicate as they compare to what I see dippng the tanks physically. No issue, my gauges work fine.
Then it hit me: There is no written requirement in the FAR/AIM that the fuel gauges be electric or permanently installed in the plane. This means that by dipping the tanks before each flight may satisfy the fuel gauge requirement (obviously requiring close attention to fuel burn throughout the flight).
Understand: This would not be a typical or normal interpretation of the rule.
My question is: Has anyone successfully complied with this requirement (officially) by dipping the tanks only?
Pure curiosity on my part.
Tks
I am working on the IR and, as part of that, I am reviewing regs, etc.
In addition to the instruments required for instrument flight, all VFR day/night requirements also apply. As I haven't reviewed that in a while, I reacquainted myself with our favorite acronym, "A Tomato Flames."
As we all (should) know, having Fuel gauges is one of the requirements. In reviewing the FAR/AIM, I see there is no requirement that the gauges be either electric or 'physical' (e.g. a sight glass). This makes sense since many of us have electric gauges, but older planes such as the Stearman have physical site glasses to measure fuel quantity.
Now, before every flight, part of my pre-flight is to check that my gauges are operational and (roughly) accurate by comparing what the electric gauges indicate as they compare to what I see dippng the tanks physically. No issue, my gauges work fine.
Then it hit me: There is no written requirement in the FAR/AIM that the fuel gauges be electric or permanently installed in the plane. This means that by dipping the tanks before each flight may satisfy the fuel gauge requirement (obviously requiring close attention to fuel burn throughout the flight).
Understand: This would not be a typical or normal interpretation of the rule.
My question is: Has anyone successfully complied with this requirement (officially) by dipping the tanks only?
Pure curiosity on my part.
Tks
