Planes are crashing to save fuel?

[mikea]

Planes are flying at slower speeds to reduce fuel costs.

I heard someone on a radio broadcast say that a few planes have crashed when they went into a stall while flying too slow to save on fuel costs, but that may be urban legend.

ZORN REPLY -- Umm, yeah, I think we might have heard about that.

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2008/05/latteconimizing.html

!!!!

The good news? This stupidity seems to really know what a stall is. "Flying too slow" vs. running out of fuel.

You just know that some line of maroons took the story that airliners are carrying less fuel to save weight into this little distortion.

 

[Bob Bement]

If they crash right it sure should do it!!

 

[silver-eagle]

"save fuel, drive slower" works for airplanes too. Without jeopardizing safety, I usually fly at about 65% power and get (on average) 7 gallons an hour. I think there is an obvious difference between (WIDEOPEN 2600 rpm) and (2200 rpm).
But anyone who doesn't have enough gas to get to where they're going is a fool. It is singularly the easiest accident to prevent.

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

Best range and economy is a fair way from slow flight, much less a stall...

 

[ScottM]

National Airspace speed limit below FL180 is now 55mph.

 

[SteveinIndy]

National Airspace speed limit below FL180 is now 55mph.

"Cessna N708CX, you have traffic at your 8 o'clock.....it's flock of pelicans who wish to pass you."