Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What should pilots monitor to maintain proper fuel levels during flight?

1. Fuel flow gauge

2. Fuel temperature gauge

3. Fuel pressure gauge

The correct answer is: Fuel flow gauge

Monitoring the fuel flow gauge during flight is crucial for pilots to maintain proper fuel levels. This gauge provides real-time information about the amount of fuel being consumed by the engine, which helps pilots assess whether their fuel supply is sufficient for the duration of the flight. By regularly checking the fuel flow, pilots can estimate how long their remaining fuel will last, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding altitude changes, airspeed adjustments, or potential alternate landing sites if fuel levels become critically low. While the fuel temperature gauge and fuel pressure gauge provide important information about the performance and condition of the fuel system, they do not directly indicate how much fuel remains in the tanks. The temperature gauge can alert the pilot to potential issues such as vapors forming in the fuel and the pressure gauge can indicate if the fuel system is operating correctly, but neither of these gauges informs the pilot about the actual fuel quantity being used or left. Thus, the fuel flow gauge is the most pertinent instrument for monitoring fuel levels during a flight.