SKYDIVER DROP ACFT RUNS OUT OF FUEL AND MAKES FORCED LNDG.

Narrative

THIS WAS MY FIRST DAY AT A NEW SKYDIVING CTR. I WAS TO BE TRAINED AND DO A LITTLE FLYING BEFORE I TOOK ANY SKYDIVERS UP FOR A JUMP. THE OWNER WAS NOT THERE AND THE OTHER PLT WAS BUSY FLYING ANOTHER PLANE. I ALWAYS FUEL MY OWN PLANE BUT THIS TIME THE PUMP WAS DIFFERENT AND I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO OPERATE IT. I PREFLTED THE PLANE WHILE ONE OF THE STAFF FUELED THE PLANE. THEY USED A DIPSTICK FOR MEASURING THE FUEL. IT HAD MARKS ON IT. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW THEY CALCULATED IT SO I LET HIM DO IT. HE TOLD ME I HAD PLENTY FOR 3 LIFTS. I BELIEVED HIM. ON MY THIRD LIFT; AFTER THE JUMPERS EXITED THE PLANE; I STARTED MY DSCNT. I MADE IT DOWN TO 8000 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG STOPPED. I LANDED THE AIRPLANE AT THE ARPT. THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING SO I COULD TAXI OFF THE RWY. WHEN THE OTHER PLT DIPPED THE TANKS I HAD ABOUT 1 GALLON USABLE FUEL; BUT NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP THE ENG RUNNING DURING A DSCNT OR FOR LEVEL TAXI. THE STAFF PUT IN ENOUGH FUEL FOR 3 LIFTS AT .9 HRS EACH LIFT. I TOOK .7 EACH LIFT; AND THERE WAS NO RESERVE IN THE PLANE WHEN I STARTED. I DIDN'T WATCH HIM AND OBSERVE HOW MANY GALLONS HE PUT IN THE PLANE. I TRUSTED AN UNFAMILIAR DIPSTICK.