Plain English Meaning

The dials or digital readouts in the cockpit that show how much fuel is left in each tank.

Full Definition

Cockpit instruments that display the quantity of usable fuel remaining in each fuel tank, typically marked in gallons or pounds. They are required to be installed and operative for flight, but are known to be most accurate only when reading empty.

Context Anchor

Seen during preflight checks, before engine start, and during flight when the pilot monitors fuel remaining.

Derivation

Fuel comes from an older word meaning material used for a fire or source of power. Gauge originally meant a or tool for measuring. Together, fuel gauges are measuring instruments for the ’s .