AvGas

[Ben_M_K]

Hey,

I have a question about AvGas. First of all, for a typical 152 or 172, how many miles per gallon do you get? Or, in other words, how long does it take to burn through a tank of fuel?

And my second question is, how much is a gallon of AvGas?

Just wondering, hope this isn't a dumb question.

Ben

[beefhole]

I know that when I'm putting on a VFR flight plan how much fuel we have, I put down 4 hours (a full tank).

GPH (we do it in terms of gallons per hour, not mileage), according to the Cessna 172SP POH, ranges from about 6.6 to 11.1, depending on the conditions.  I've flown two cross-countries, and we normally used about 8.5-9 GPH.  Don't know bout the costs though.  My first guess-EXPENSIVE.

[Hagar]

Here's a list of prices in the US. http://www.aviationresearch.com/Free/fuel_survey.asp

Not sure what octane rating they use now. It's probably all the same except for high-octane used in warbirds & suchlike. I could be wrong but I think some light aircraft are allowed to use ordinary motor grade fuel but that would probably work out more expensive.

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Yeah, I remember figuring the 150 I flew was about 7 galons/hour.  I flew from W16 (First Air Field in Monroe WA) down to Hillsboro Oregon on a single tank.  Pretty good range for such a small plane.  

For the Warrior I fly now with my instrument rating, I flew that bird from Ellensburg (KELN) over to Friday Harbor (KFHI I believe) then down to Renton, and back to Ellensburg all on one tank also.  That's a hefty trip too.  

As for cost, I remember it being $2.65 last time I had to buy it.  As for octane, everyplace pretty much uses 100LL.  I've never even seen the red stuff before. (80)

[Mobius]

I use 8 gph in the 172 I fly, not too accurate, but it works.  The airplane I fly holds 54 gallons of fuel, only 50 of which is usable and that gives me just about 6 hours of flight with the 30 min reserves required by the FAA for day VFR flight.  I just went flying last saturday and fuel was $3.20 a gallon also .  :o  Ouch.

[beaky]

All of the above figures sound right. Fudging(rounding up) the burn estimate  is smart- accounts for taxi, takeoff, and climb, and keeps a nice reserve. There are some interesting innovations out there, but basically light aircraft engines are no more efficient than in the 40s, and even a brand new SP gets about the same mileage as an RV. 8gph, 100 mph... that's about 12mpg.
And yes, time aloft is more important in flight planning than mpg, especially if you have to divert or circle. When I made my longest flights so far (NJ-New Orleans), I had power and mixture set for a point halfway between best economy and best speed, and got a 4- hour leg out of that 172 at one point, with about a 40-minute reserve (at best economy). Would've taken me less time (and fuel), but I got about 10 miles off-course at one point. Glad I factored that in...

[Saratoga]

Though the standard I was always taught in small planes was top the tanks off anyways since that was condensation couldn't form in the tanks.

[beefhole]

Though the standard I was always taught in small planes was top the tanks off anyways since that was condensation couldn't form in the tanks.

We do that last flight of the day.

[SilverFox441]

Topping off prevents condensation...it also make the plane safer.

Avgas is like gasoline, it is more explosive when in vapour form...no vapour, less chance of explosions.

[beefhole]

Topping off prevents condensation...it also make the plane safer.

Hence, we do it for the last flight since condensation forms mostly over night.

[Saratoga]

Ya, last flight. Sorry mind is elsewhere lately.

Sure it is a little annoying in the morning if you are the first guy who gets the fully fueled plane (talk about lack of performance in some planes), but it's definetly worth it.

[Ben_M_K]

Ok, thanks for your answers everyone!

Now let me tell you why exactly I asked. You see, I'm about to join the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), and you can get your PPL and all you have to pay for in training is the gas. They supply the instuctor, plane, and everything else, all you need to pay for is fuel. Seems like a pretty nice way to get my PPL.

[Hagar]

Sounds good to me Ben. Go for it.

[TacitBlue]

CAP sounds great, I just looked at their website. I wish I had known about this sooner. Im to old to join the cadet program by one year.

[beaky]

Such a frikkin' deal!! Wish I'd done that at your age!! Go for it!!!
And when it's time for your solo cross-countries, do some research first to find airports with the best fuel prices... . Seriously.
I haven't flown in a couple years, but I've heard that (as others have said here) that it's generally nudging the $3/gal. mark in the US now, but like auto gas, it varies somewhat from place to place. Look around, make a list.
Don't forget landing and parking fees, either- ask if they cover that or not. Some fancy-dancy FBOs will actually charge you to have a line boy wave you in to park, even if you're just getting some fuel and hitting the head. Sometimes said FBOs are the only one available at a given airport. This sort of information will influence your flight planning, if you're serious about saving money. There's also headset, fuel sampler, navigation tools, manuals, textbooks,emergency stuff, Sic-Sacs- will you have to pay for all that stuff, too? All of that stuff can be found pretty cheaply, but it's an expense worth factoring in if your money's tight.
Whatever the case, not having to cover the aircraft rental or instructors' time is a HUGE discount! Very good way to get your PPSEL! And an awesome way to serve your community!