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On Nov 28, 2004, at 11:33 PM, Tim and Martha Briggs wrote: > Ercoupers: > > I feel compelled to reply to to this. > > William R. Bayne said: > "Are we as good as they were? Probably not, which is one of my > recurring points. We should be." > > ... flying GA today is different animal in so many respects > that I don't feel it is an apples to apples comparison. Hi guys, No OVERALL comparison was intended. In that context, it's a whole different world aloft today. I fully agree today's pilot is busier than yesterday's. The subject at hand was much simpler. What is an appropriate "absolute" minimum fuel reserve for a coupe? That varies with what each of us is comfortable with. It's something we can decide on the ground, in advance. But a pilot's ultimate responsibility for progressive "awareness" of his/her fuel situation as a cross-country unfolds is unchanged. If S--t happens and an emergency landing becomes necessary, a pilot's responsibility for achieving and maintaining sufficient proficiency to successfully convert available energy into an emergency landing, on or off airport, preferably without injury or damage, is greater due to our higher population density. Again, we know this before we even plan a trip. We should practice in advance.. Nobody is prepared for every eventuality, but too many do not prepare at all. What is common today in this respect might not have been considered "good practice" in the old days. Is a higher "work load" aloft today a valid excuse for not becoming intimately familiar with your plane, your abilities, and striving to meld them? I think not. WRB ========================================================================== ==== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm Search the archives on http://escribe.com/aviation/coupers/
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