...and had to pull over ;D
You see, I spent all day worrying about whether I had enough fuel in the Cub -- always watching that cork bounce and wondering if I have enough juice to make it to the next airport. Am I flying into a headwind? What if the engine quits now? Can I make that field? Well, I'm over farm country, there are many nice square pastures to slip into. Having only a total of something around 3hrs solo time, I'm still green when it comes to understanding my engine's fuel consumption (I think it's a little on the high side).
I made it to the airport in the Cub.
I did not make it home in my Jeep.
One minute the fuel gauge showed 1/4 of fuel left, the next minute I'm sputtering and being jolted back and forth trying to scrape every last ounce of fuel into the engine so I can pull off the San Antonio interstate and avoid being side swiped by some crazy teen out for a Saturday evening joy ride.
Stranded on the side of the highway, I called several friends, but neither were home. Alas, i could always count on old man Bob (my neighbor) and he shows up in no time in his trusty old Ford Ranger with a 2 gallon fuel can strapped in the back of his truck with his dog "Baby" along for the ride. I remember I once joked to him about that little "gas can" in the bed of his truck.
I fueled up, thanked him and went home.
A reminder to all: don't forget that you still need to get home to your loved ones after you are done flying. More pilots die in the car than the airplane.
Have a safe Thanksgiving!
You see, I spent all day worrying about whether I had enough fuel in the Cub -- always watching that cork bounce and wondering if I have enough juice to make it to the next airport. Am I flying into a headwind? What if the engine quits now? Can I make that field? Well, I'm over farm country, there are many nice square pastures to slip into. Having only a total of something around 3hrs solo time, I'm still green when it comes to understanding my engine's fuel consumption (I think it's a little on the high side).
I made it to the airport in the Cub.
I did not make it home in my Jeep.
One minute the fuel gauge showed 1/4 of fuel left, the next minute I'm sputtering and being jolted back and forth trying to scrape every last ounce of fuel into the engine so I can pull off the San Antonio interstate and avoid being side swiped by some crazy teen out for a Saturday evening joy ride.
Stranded on the side of the highway, I called several friends, but neither were home. Alas, i could always count on old man Bob (my neighbor) and he shows up in no time in his trusty old Ford Ranger with a 2 gallon fuel can strapped in the back of his truck with his dog "Baby" along for the ride. I remember I once joked to him about that little "gas can" in the bed of his truck.
I fueled up, thanked him and went home.
A reminder to all: don't forget that you still need to get home to your loved ones after you are done flying. More pilots die in the car than the airplane.
Have a safe Thanksgiving!
