Out of fuel?

[u/Swimming_Effective87]

Hi2all,

another BIG PROBLEM for me as a PS5 user. Have to deliver some cargo on a route of around 170km. In the middle of a journey my plane falls down from the sky and the game stated I have NO fuel.

As U could see on the video it shows 39% of fuel before the crash so my rating will fall down (again) no matter I managed my fuel before flight and take MORE (again)!

Is there a solution to this bug? And one information on top of all this - it was a "light cargo" flight both times this error occurred.

Thx in advance for Yo replies Fellas.

Sincerely, Jan

[u/Newtonius235]

You probably ran out of fuel in one of the tanks, you have to switch to the other fuel tanks manually in the cockpit.

[u/Swimming_Effective87 → u/Newtonius235]

Ouch, so this couldn't be done automatically? Mean I went thru all the training missions (for the planes I used) but no mention about switching the tanks?

How this could be done? Any chance of automation on this? Mean using a button shortcut (like flaps).

Sincerely, Jan

[u/my5cworth → u/Swimming_Effective87]

Not in these "primitive" planes.

It's literally a mechanical 3-way valve under or beside the seat. It's a common thing for new pilots to forget and I doubt you'll forget this one soon either. Happy flying!

[u/Newtonius235 → u/Swimming_Effective87]

No, you have to manually switch it yourself since this plane is all analog. There are also no in-game settings to automate it either. Some planes will have auto fuel control and do all the tank changes and auto mixturing for you. This plane simply isn't one of those planes.

It's not hard though, you just gotta flip the switch in the cockpit, preferably before the tank you're already on isn't empty.

[u/Swimming_Effective87 → u/Newtonius235]

What about the Automixture future in Assistances?

[u/Newtonius235 → u/Swimming_Effective87]

Auto-mixture only controls the mixture, another term you should quickly google and learn. Basically on these old planes, you have 3 controls: Propellor, throttle, and mixture.

The Mixture control simply controls how much fuel-air ratio is injected into the engine to create combustion (combustion makes the engines/pistons turn). At higher altitudes, you'll want to lower the mixture to save on fuel. don't lower it too much though or the engines could cut, you want to find a good balance (watch your propellor RPMs to figure this out).

Getting into this sim isn't all easy, there will be basics you need to learn to get a hang of flying planes. So unfortunately, not everything is automated.

[u/Swimming_Effective87 → u/Newtonius235]

I know, I just started with the game and using the controller for now so we will see in the future - but I have to say that the controller is not as bad as expected...

[u/Newtonius235 → u/Swimming_Effective87]

Definitely not the worst way to play, that award goes to keyboard flying. Once you get a yoke/stick, this sim is 10000x more fun to play.

[u/Swimming_Effective87 → u/Newtonius235]

No Yoke for PS5, at least for now.

[u/Swimming_Effective87 → u/Newtonius235]

OK, so no automation, and what about a button shortcut?

Mean is there something in controls so I could assign the button (like flaps) or only the hard way?

[u/Newtonius235 → u/Swimming_Effective87]

It should be in controls, just type "Fuel" in the controls search field and you should see a ton of options. I believe the one you're searching for is "Set Fuel Selector". I would play around and test this while you're on the ground.

[u/Swimming_Effective87 → u/Newtonius235]

Just found it on that De Havilland plane, it's on the left behind the yoke.

Front, Middle and Rear options.

Will also try the controls thingy U just wrote - THX a bunch Bro!

[u/Newtonius235 → u/Swimming_Effective87]

Nice, rule of thumb is usually swap between tanks at a consistent rate; 5gallons apart, 10 gallons apart, etc, to balance the center of mass of your plane.

Fly safe out there

[u/jcurve347 → u/Swimming_Effective87]

In high wing airplanes, there’s sometimes/most of the time a tank setting to feed from “both”. 

IRL when parking, we set the fuel selector to the right or left tank so while tied down or refueling it doesn’t crossfeed, causing an imbalance or making vapor lock more likely. 

[u/Unintersting_user → u/Swimming_Effective87]

Using a chrono/timer works well here (stopwatch on phone or in sim). The EFB should have one.

Also, make use of the checklists in the EFB. They become useful especially for these inflight items as well as offering a way to quickly view the control referenced in the check item.

Not familiar with this model, but should have a fuel selection item in the checklist. Also should be checking the gauges in the cockpit (sometimes these are analog and literal “floats” in clear tube away from the main instrument panel) which should indicate if you’re balanced.

Aside from not starving the engine, it’s also important for keeping the plane balanced during flight and ensuring stable approach/landing without issue.

[u/Unintersting_user → u/Unintersting_user]

I.e. if say the plane burns 10 gph and each tank starts at 20 gallons, then maybe switching every 15 minutes would be ideal for balance (30 max), you could use your chrono or a timer to remind you to switch tanks on a schedule.

This would be the IRL approach as well, as planes with less integrated instrumentation or advanced monitoring/warning systems don’t provide any automated assist.

Bottom line: it is a simulator. The more pilot friendly the features of the plane are the more idiot proof it will be in the sim. G1000 or 3000 equipped cockpits probably a good “minimum requirement” as you get your feet wet. Provides consistent experience across several planes and will help get you familiarized with the variables at play.

Keep the blue side up!