Fuel Selector Valve

A cockpit control that allows the pilot to select which fuel tank feeds the engine, with typical positions including Left, Right, Both, and Off. Proper fuel management using the selector valve is critical for maintaining balance (equal fuel in both tanks prevents lateral CG shift) and ensuring uninterrupted fuel flow. The pilot must verify the correct tank is selected during preflight and monitor fuel quantity throughout the flight. Selecting an empty tank or the Off position in flight will cause engine fuel starvation, a leading cause of general aviation forced landings.