Fuel tracking for Left, Right, and Both.
Fly a Cessna 172, 182, or another aircraft with a Both position? See how SkyTimer estimates each tank while both feed, shows any imbalance, and reminds you as fuel runs down.
How a Left/Right/Both system works
Many high-wing Cessnas have a fuel selector with Left, Right, and Both positions. Fuel flows to the engine by gravity, and on Both the engine draws from both wing tanks at once. That keeps the workload low, but the tanks don’t always drain at exactly the same rate, and your POH tells you when to use each position.
- On Both, SkyTimer splits your fuel flow evenly between the two tanks and estimates what’s left in each.
- On Left or Right, the estimate follows the selected tank, and the drawing shows which one is feeding.
- Imbalance at a glance. The drawing shows how far apart the tanks are estimated to be, or BAL when they’re even.
Reminders that fit flying on Both
There’s no tank to switch on Both, so SkyTimer watches the fuel instead.
- Fuel level. Get a reminder when a tank falls to the amount you choose.
- Low and empty warnings. SkyTimer tells you when a tank’s estimated endurance gets low, and when it’s estimated to be empty.
- Left or Right when you need it. If your procedure uses one tank at a time, add a timed switch or Smart Balance reminder.
SkyTimer estimates fuel from your starting fuel, fuel flow, time, and the fuel system you configure. It doesn’t measure fuel. Use it alongside your fuel gauges and your POH, never instead of them.
Aircraft types that start with this setup
Choose one of these types in SkyTimer to start with typical tanks, fuel flow, and reminders. Every value is marked TYPICAL until you check it against your POH and change any that differ.
- Cessna 170B
- Cessna 172 Skyhawk
- Cessna 172K Skyhawk
- Cessna 172M Skyhawk
- Cessna 172N Skyhawk
- Cessna 172P Skyhawk
- Cessna 172R Skyhawk
- Cessna 172RG Cutlass RG
- Cessna 172S Skyhawk
- Cessna 175 Skylark
- Cessna 177 Cardinal
- Cessna 180 Skywagon
- Cessna 182 Skylane
- Cessna 182P Skylane
- Cessna 182Q Skylane
- Cessna 182T Skylane
- Cessna 185 Skywagon
- Cessna 208 Caravan
- Cessna R172K Hawk XP
- CubCrafters Carbon Cub
Cessna 150 or 152? Their tanks feed together through an ON/OFF valve, with no selector. They’re in SkyTimer too, set up that way.
Questions about Both
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Does SkyTimer know how much fuel is in each tank?
No. SkyTimer estimates each tank from the fuel you enter before departure, your fuel flow, and time. On Both, the estimate assumes the tanks feed equally. Check it against your fuel gauges, and update your fuel flow when it changes.
Can I get reminders when I fly on Both?
Yes. Use a fuel level reminder to be told when a tank falls to the amount you choose. SkyTimer also warns you when a tank is estimated to be low or empty. If you switch to Left or Right, timed and Smart Balance reminders work too.
My Cessna has long-range tanks. Can I change the capacity?
Yes. Choosing a type fills in typical values, marked TYPICAL in the app. Change the tank capacities and unusable fuel to match your aircraft and its fuel placards.
What about the Cessna 150 and 152?
Both tanks on a 150 or 152 feed the engine together through an ON/OFF valve, with no tank selector. SkyTimer sets these types up that way: it tracks both tanks, burning half from each, and there’s nothing to switch.
More fuel system guides
Try it with your aircraft.
Download SkyTimer, choose your aircraft type, and check the typical values against your POH.