Amateur/Home Built/Experimental
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 180; Flight Crew Type 45
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Procedure; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
I found myself in a situation during what was supposed to be a routine flight. I departed...on a clear; sunny; calm day with intentions to get a $100 hamburger. I made a quick stop at ZZZ to pick up my friend. We met at the self serve fuel pumps. He parked his car while I topped off my 9.75 gallon fuel tank. We departed and flew direct to [destination] for our intended dinner. I made my 10 mile and 5 mile radio calls with no response and no traffic in the area. Upon calling my downwind entry into the pattern; I was informed that the runway was closed. We circled the airport and noticed the maintenance trucks below on the runway. With a fuel burn of 4.5 gallons per hour and 9 gallons of useable fuel on board at departure; I knew we were fine to return to ZZZ with our 30 minute day VFR reserve on board. So; we made direct for ZZZ. When abeam [County airport]; I again looked at time aloft. Estimated time en route and our on board fuel total and determined that everything was as previously calculated when setting our return course. We overflew [County airport] and continued on. Shortly after passing this airport is when we observed the smoke trails of aerobatic planes above the vicinity of ZZZ. It was at this moment when I became a bit more concerned of our situation. I radioed that I was 10 miles out and inbound. I was informed that the airport was closed. I then radioed that I was low on fuel and had a passenger that was parked there. I was told I could enter in 10 minutes. I reported that I was 5 minutes out and could circle for an additional 5 minutes. Now; at that time; I believe by the conversation on the radio that the airspace would be free and clear in 10 minutes; not that they were making a slot in their practice for me to enter. Had I known; I simply could have flown back to the [County airport] and arranged fuel on the ground. Thus I never declared an emergency. I circled and was instructed to land behind the aircraft that finished their practice. When on short final; I realized that a T-6 was holding short for me. It was then that I figured I would be getting a visit from someone who would not be too happy with me. That visit took place. I was greeted at the fuel pumps by FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors who proceeded to be firm and thorough collecting information from me. I had removed my flight bag; which usually rides right seat; from my two-seat Kitfox before I had departed. Unfortunately my medical stays in my log book and my log book stays in my flight bag. I have since moved my medical to the same zip lock bag that I keep my aircraft registration in since I only fly the Kitfox. I was asked to present the Operating Limitations of the aircraft and I handed over the 10 page Operating Handbook that stays in the aircraft. I was trying to answer; what seemed like at the time; 10 questions at once and trying to stay calm after what was turning into a tense moment in the sky. I have learned a valuable lesson about the importance of proper flight planning; even if it is a flight that has been flown a thousand times before. I know have an app on my phone to look up NOTAMS. Should I have turned back and shot for the County airport then called a friend for fuel? Should I have stretched it back to the flight's point of origin and probably have made it with no problems; but landed without my 30 minute reserve? Well; my plane is in one piece; I went home to my family. I meant to cause no one any grief over my compounded bad decisions that day. I feel deep down; that I made the best decision at the time and stopped any additional problems from getting the best of me.
Pilot of an Experimental-Homebuilt aircraft took off; refueled at an intermediate stop and continued to a short layover at his destination before departing with the intention of returning to the airport where he had refueled. After passing an airport enroute; the pilot became concerned about his fuel state since air show practice was taking place at the destination airport. ATC interrupted the practice activity and the Pilot landed without incident.