Light Sport Aircraft
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Sport / Recreational
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 1500; Flight Crew Type 1500
Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface
Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Human Factors; Weather
[I] went to a fly-in the southeast part of Arizona. Non-predicted winds came up flew back with head winds of 20 KTS. The closest airport had 45 KT gusting winds; unable to land cub there but believed [I] had appropriate fuel for return trip. Headwinds and density altitude for climbing caused a far greater fuel burn. One tank ran dry so on other tank; rather than continuing and risking engine quitting over populated areas; I made the decision to do a precautionary landing off airport on a dirt open area and had a friend bring me fuel. Takeoff was no problem and successfully completed the trip back to home base. There was no damage; no rules broken.
Piper Cub pilot reports running low on fuel during the return flight from a fly-in due to unforecast headwinds. The decision is made to land off airport; in an open area and obtain fuel before continuing on.