Command E-Learning 2 - Fuel Policy

Question 1

What options are available under alternative flight planning procedures for fuel under taxi?

Answer 1

Reduce OFP taxi fuel, taking into account actual taxi time

Question 2

What options are available under alternative flight planning procedures for fuel under Trip Fuel?

Answer 2

Reduce trip fuel by comparing actual distance in FMGC

Question 3

What options are available under alternative flight planning procedures for fuel under Contingency Fuel?

Answer 3

Reduce contingency to CONT90 or 3%

We can use the greater of SCF CONT 90 and an amount to fly for 5 minutes at holding speed at 1500ft above the destination aerodrome in standard conditions

OR, if SCF unavailable

The greater of 3% of planned trip fuel, or an amount to fly for 5 minutes at holding speed at 1500ft above destination aerodrome in standard conditions

AND

Fuel en-route alternate (fuel ERA) is required

Question 4

What options are available under alternative flight planning procedures for fuel Alternate Fuel?

Answer 4

No alternate

Question 5

What should be considered when planning to use alternative flight planning procedures?

Answer 5

Get the most up to date OFP possible for accurate data

Question 6

For all variants, what is the fuel burn calculation for taxiing with 2 engines? 1 engine?

Answer 6

2 engines 10kg per minute
1 engine 7kg per minute

Taxi time expressed in minutes is available on the OFP

Question 7

How much trip fuel can we adjust per nm increase? How about per nm decrease?

Answer 7

5kg per nm increase
4kg per nm decrease

Question 8

What minima is required for a fuel ERA?

Answer 8

Planning minima

Question 9

How do we calculate where our ERA needs to be?

Answer 9

1. Take total flight plan distance
2. Work out 25% or this, and then work out 20% + 50nm of this
3. Take the greater of the above, and come back this distance from the destination
4. Draw a circle, 20% of total flight plan distance on this point
5. Find a suitable alternate in the circle

Question 10

Does an ERA replace a destination alternate?

Answer 10

No, unless we plan on using no destination alternate

Question 11

Where is the best place for an ERA?

Answer 11

As close as possible to the destination, as this means the decision to divert or continue is made at the latest possible time

Question 12

When can we dispatch with no alternate?

Answer 12

Flight time does not exceed 6 hours

2 separate runways at destination, and weather reports for a period +/- 1 hr of ETA that ceiling will be 2000ft or circling minima plus 500ft, whichever greater, and 5000m+ vis

Question 13

How can we use the acronym WANTS in fuel planning?

Answer 13

Weather
Aircraft (MEL etc)
NOTAMS
Threats (CAT C, ALTN suitability)
SCF - will SCF cover requirements?

Question 14

What is the ASC? What is it?

Answer 14

Airport Suitability Check

In the OFP it is the list of aerodromes considered as alternates, and their respective approaches and minima

Question 15

When is the weather taken for the ASC airports?

Answer 15

From the forecast at the time of the calculation

Question 16

What is included in the ASC?

Answer 16

List of airports
Approach aids used for planning minima
Planning minima considered
Forecast ceiling and vis
TWC
XWC

Question 17

What is the danger with regards weather and the ASC?

Answer 17

Only considers cloud base and visibility. Doesn’t take into account adverse weather such as SN or TS

Question 18

What must expected useable fuel at destination not be less than?

Answer 18

Alternate fuel plus final reserve

or

Final reserve if no alternate required

Question 19

What fuel conservation measures can be considered if expected to be low on fuel?

Answer 19

Decrease speed
Obtain more direct route
Fly closer to optimum cruise
Select a closer alternate
Land and refuel

Question 20

What is the condition for ‘landing assured’

Answer 20

In the judgment of the commander, it can be completed in the event of any forecast deterioration in the weather, or with any plausible single failure of ground or airborne facilities

Question 21

When can selected speed be used?

Answer 21

ATC request
Operational requirements eg. turbulence
Temporary measure to recover a profile

Question 22

Can you commit if airport has only one runway?

Answer 22

Yes

Question 23

What is the definition of minimum fuel?

Answer 23

Commander shall declare minimum fuel when

Having committed to land at a specific aerodrome, the pilot calculates that any change to the existing clearance to that aerodrome may result in landing with less than the planned final reserve fuel.

It informs ATC that all aerodrome options have been reduced to a specific one, and changes could infringe final reserve

Question 24

What is the definition of MAYDAY fuel?

Answer 24

Calculated usable fuel predicted to be available on landing at the nearest aerodrome where a safe landing can be made is less than final reserve

Question 25

Can alternate fuel be used for holding at destination?

Answer 25

Yes, if pilot commits to land there

Question 26

Will you get priority if you declare minimum fuel?

Answer 26

No

Question 27

What will an ATC controller do in response to minimum fuel call?

Answer 27

Update/confirm estimated delay in minutes, or remaining track miles, as appropriate

Question 28

How many successive approaches can be made at a single airport?

Answer 28

No more than 2 may be flown when there has been a go around due to weather conditions unless there has been a significant improvement, or a state of emergency exists

Question 29

What can you consider if you have a very low underload?

Answer 29

Contact ICC, who may be able to optimise everything. They understand the implications of offloads and things, and can potentially make better commercial decisions

Can also consider operating the flight at a lower CI