Jaybird180
Final Approach
I pay a wet rate on airplane rental, so fuel usage is only important to me in that I have enough to safely complete my flight.
This weekend I flew with my family. I used a clear tube dipstick and measured 27 gals in the extended tanks of the Skyhawk (52/56 gals? -NS on this airplane). I landed 1.5 hrs on the Hobbs. I then added another 0.5 Hobbs getting back into night currency. Afterwards, I measured 18gals (9 each side) total and ordered 20 gals of fuel (10 per side). I went inside to check weather, and file my flight plan. I paid the bill and took my family out to the plane. On my preflight, I measured +11 gals. I measured each wing twice and did the math in my head (+5 on left, +6 on right). I went inside where I purchased fuel and adjusted the bill to 11 gals. I continued my preflight still a little bothered by the discrepancy, but determined that at 29 gals I had plenty reserve to complete the flight, but I still re-measured, and came up with 31 gals.
Enroute to home base, I had to make a weather diversion. This was 1.0 hour on the Hobbs. After waiting an hour on the ground, we departed and landed home, adding another 0.5 Hobbs. This is the receipt I turned in when I turned in my rental ticket 4.0 Hobbs time. I did not measure fuel after tying down the airplane.
Today, the place where I purchased fuel calls me to say they stand behind their original assertion that I received 20 gals of fuel. They say their pumps are calibrate and certified and they are inspected by the FAA.
I called the FBO manager at home base, but was only able to leave a voicemail. Any advice on resolving this situation? Again, path of least resistance for me is to simply allow the FBO to pay the fuel company for the other 9 gals they claim the put in the airplane. However, this could reasonably happen if it were my own airplane.
I'm now going to set back, listen to the experienced opinions here and learn.
Feel free to ask questions about any pertinent details -no need to say where this is, but I think I have it all covered.
This weekend I flew with my family. I used a clear tube dipstick and measured 27 gals in the extended tanks of the Skyhawk (52/56 gals? -NS on this airplane). I landed 1.5 hrs on the Hobbs. I then added another 0.5 Hobbs getting back into night currency. Afterwards, I measured 18gals (9 each side) total and ordered 20 gals of fuel (10 per side). I went inside to check weather, and file my flight plan. I paid the bill and took my family out to the plane. On my preflight, I measured +11 gals. I measured each wing twice and did the math in my head (+5 on left, +6 on right). I went inside where I purchased fuel and adjusted the bill to 11 gals. I continued my preflight still a little bothered by the discrepancy, but determined that at 29 gals I had plenty reserve to complete the flight, but I still re-measured, and came up with 31 gals.
Enroute to home base, I had to make a weather diversion. This was 1.0 hour on the Hobbs. After waiting an hour on the ground, we departed and landed home, adding another 0.5 Hobbs. This is the receipt I turned in when I turned in my rental ticket 4.0 Hobbs time. I did not measure fuel after tying down the airplane.
Today, the place where I purchased fuel calls me to say they stand behind their original assertion that I received 20 gals of fuel. They say their pumps are calibrate and certified and they are inspected by the FAA.
I called the FBO manager at home base, but was only able to leave a voicemail. Any advice on resolving this situation? Again, path of least resistance for me is to simply allow the FBO to pay the fuel company for the other 9 gals they claim the put in the airplane. However, this could reasonably happen if it were my own airplane.
I'm now going to set back, listen to the experienced opinions here and learn.
Feel free to ask questions about any pertinent details -no need to say where this is, but I think I have it all covered.