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United States Pilots Association |
Last weekend was the annual USPA meeting held in beautiful Branson, MO. If you were not there you missed a wonderful joint weekend with USPA and The Missouri Pilots Association. Following is true and I caution all pilots to watch for this sleight of hand.
We took off from Odessa, TX in a Cessna 206 which was leaned to 14.5 gallons/hour of fuel flow. After flying for two hours and five minutes we landed in at an airport in Southern Oklahoma and requested the plane be topped off. When I returned to the airport after a short lunch I was handed an Avfuel bill reflecting 47 gallons put into the plane. I took off for Branson and landed there two hours and twenty minutes later. The plane was again topped off and took 32 gallons. The plane had not flown since the previous week when I took it to Huntsville, TX and returned, and had it topped off before locking it into a hangar. I routinely fly this plane and it's fuel burn is remarkably consistent. Upon arriving back in Odessa I again topped it off where it took 61 gallons for a 4.3 hour flight.
It became obvious to me that I was charged for more gas than actually pumped into the plane. That was gas priced at $5.61 per gallon. I called the FBO who tried to convince me that it must be my mistake. Today I received an $85.00 check from the FBO for the overcharge.
My suggestion is to wait while your bird is refueled and watch the flow gauge being sure it starts on zero. Fuel prices being what they are today and knowing the dealers are not really making any more money indicates to me that somebody will always try to find a way to squeeze us for a few more dollars. Be on your toes folks. The fun is only just beginning.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association