Sorry, I just had to put my $.02 in to pot.  When a pilot (who is soley
responsible for the safety of his aircraft) has an emergency (and low fuel is
definately an emergency), he shouldn't ask anybody for anything.  He just
became KING OF THE WORLD and should tell people what is is GOING to do.  The
pilot may have to stand tall later (to the FAA, or to a Military Board), but
at least he will be around to do it.

Rob "former military instructor pilot" Gaddy

I agree. It is best not to talk to the controllers.
If you ask them a question like; "I am here at lat long so and so or x miles 
south of y. Gimme a vector to the nearest airport" they usually answer with 
a question or a command such as "stand bye". Sure I'll just put this dead
stick thing on altitude hold. I think they fail to understand the overriding 
importance of time.

True they would like to paint you on their radar with a unique squawk.
That takes too much time. You need to change it and they need to wait
until the sweep comes around. They may not even have a sectional in 
front of them. Basically they don't trust your navigational abilities.

I maintain a GPS moving map is the best safety device to come along
in the last century.

Paul Lamar
 
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