A PVT RATED PLT FLYING A C152 NEAR FRANKFORT; MI; EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION RESULTING IN AN EMER LNDG.

Narrative

ON MY RETURN TRIP FROM MACKINAC ISLAND MCD (NO FUEL AVAILABLE); MY ESTIMATED FUEL WAS 2 HRS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THE 1 HR FLT. I STARTED OUT IN A RENTAL C152 WITH FULL FUEL (26 GALS USABLE) IN GLADSTONE MI 9C9; HANDBOOK SHOWS 6.1 GPH BURN. 4.2 HRS FLYING TIME. FIRST LEG OF TRIP 9C9 TO 3D4 EQUALS 58 MINS; 2ND LEG 3D4 TO MCD EQUALS 1.1 HRS; 3RD LEG MCD TO 3D4 EQUALS 1.1 HRS. TOTAL TIME OF CALCULATED FUEL USED WAS 3.2 HRS. THIS SHOULD HAVE LEFT ME WITH 1 HR RESERVE FUEL. I DEPARTED MCD AND CLBED TO 4500 FT FOR 3D4. 10 MI BEFORE 3D4 I DSNDED TO 3000 FT. APPROX 1 MI OUT THE ENG STARTED MISSING. I ANNOUNCED AN EMER TO INBOUND ACFT. OVER MID-FIELD; ENG QUIT (1700 FT MSL). I LANDED THE PLANE WITHOUT INCIDENT AND COASTED TO THE TAXI RAMP. REFUELED PLANE; R TANK TOOK 13.6 GALS AND PUT 7 GALS IN L TANK. TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN ESPECIALLY IN A RENTAL ACFT THAT I'M UNFAMILIAR WITH; I WILL USE LARGER RESERVE MARGINS AND PUT A LITTLE MORE FAITH IN THE GAS GAUGES IF THE NEEDLE STOPS MOVING THAT'S A GOOD INDICATION THAT IT'S EMPTY (AS THE R TANK DID).