Fuel Policy

Question 1

Commanders responsibility regarding the Fuel Operating Policy??

Answer 1

Commander satisfied that aircraft carries at least required amount of fuel and oil to complete flight safely, taking into account expected operating conditions (OMA 8.18)l

Question 2

Pre-flight planning ??

Answer 2

Flights to dispatch with sufficient fuel to land at two airports or two runways if no destination alternate available with at least reserve fuel in tanks - taking into account any information up to the point of dispatch. (OMA 8.18.1)

Question 3

A new CIRRUS plan is required for what payload increase?

Answer 3

Payload / ZFW increases greater than 5000kg (OMA 8.18.2)

Question 4

What is the weight line in CIRRUS used for?

Answer 4

For increases in ZFW up to 5000kg.

Increases of more 5000kg require a new CIRRUS flight plan.

OMA 8.18.2

Question 5

What are the fuel penalties for changing CIRRUS weights?

Answer 5

1) CIRRUS weight change line OR 3% / hr
2) Inc ZFW : Fuel Inc = Wt change x 4% x (T+C+D+R)
3) Inc Div Fuel : Fuel Inc = Inc Div Fuel x 4% x (T+C)
4) Inc Fuel : Extra Fuel burnt = extra Fuel x 4% x T
T-Trip - C-Contingency - D- Diversion - R-Reserve
(OMA 8.18.20)

Question 6

What is REQUIRED FUEL?

Answer 6

Summation of

TRIP FUEL
DIV FUEL or 15 mins holding fuel without destination alternate 
RESERVE FUEL
CONTINGENCY FUEL
TAXI FUEL
ADDITIONAL FUEL (ETOPS)

(OMA 8.18.5)

Question 7

What is TRIP FUEL?

Answer 7

Fuel required from takeoff to touchdown assuming departure on SID/STAR on RWYs based on forecast winds.

Start of takeoff to landing.

(OMA 8.18.6)

Question 8

What is the COST INDEX for?

Answer 8

Used for reasons of schedule keeping, regularity, night curfews - normally to achieve arrival STA - 15mins

Question 9

What is DIVERSION FUEL?

Answer 9

Fuel required from go-around at destination to touchdown at an alternate airfield, using cost index zero.

Calculated using PLW at destination minus contingency fuel.

If destination is forecast below planning minima then an extra alternate is required - diversion fuel will then be for the more distance alternate.

(OMA 8.18.7)

Question 10

Requirements for dispatch without destination alternate?

Answer 10

Flight less than 6 hours (from T/O to T/D) AND
2 separate runways available at destination AND
Weather reports/forecasts for ETA +/- 1hr show greater of - minimum ceiling of 2000ft OR circling altitude +500ft and min visibility of 5km.

Diversion fuel must be replaced by 15mins holding clean at 1500ft (half final reserve fuel)

(OMA 8.18.8)

Question 11

What is RESERVE FUEL?

Answer 11

Minimum fuel required to be in tanks at landing.

Equivalent to 30 mins holding clean at 1500ft at PLW at alternate airfield or destination if no alternate required.

(OMA 8.18.9)

Question 12

What is CONTINGENCY FUEL?

Answer 12

Fuel for unseen variations to flight plan.

May be used at any time after flight has dispatched.

(OMA 8.18.10)

Question 13

What is ADDITIONAL FUEL

Answer 13

Fuel for possible failure of engine or loss of cabin pressure at most critical point along route.

Aircraft can descend and proceed to suitable airfield.
Hold for 15 mins above airfield in standard conditions.
Make approach and landing.

Question 14

How is decompression fuel shown on CIRRUS.

Answer 14

decompression fuel is shown on CIRRUS as DECMP.

Question 15

What is CONTINGENCY FUEL?

Answer 15

Higher of
Either with ERA - 3% of trip fuel OR without ERA - 5% of trip fuel
OR 20 mins flight time OR SCF (usual 95%)

Must never be below 5mins holding at 1500ft @ PLW

Question 16

What is Taxi fuel?

OM A 8.18.11

Answer 16

Engine start and taxi and APU burn.
Usually statistical data

If ‘Push and Hold’ Procedures are in use, a small amount of extra fuel may be required

Question 17

What are the winter tinkering requirements?

OM A 8.18.19

Answer 17

Does not apply into LHR/LGW
Do Not Tanker If -
-2c to +10c, temp and dew point within 2c 
Flight time 1 1/4 hrs to 4hrs
Precipitation or high humidity

Question 18

Pre-dispatch planning adjustment OM A 8.18.16

Last minute increase in required fuel and not feasible to uplift more.

Answer 18

Commander may….  
Use CI 0; and
Reduction of statistical taxi Fuel; and
Dispatch without Alt (OM A 8.18.8)
Reduce CONTINGENCY FUEL to a min 5mins @1500ft

Question 19

When should fuel checks be carried out?

OM A 8.12.2

Answer 19

A fuel check should be carried out at the first waypoint past the top of climb, and at least every hour and must be recorded.

Fuel checks shall ensure that calculated fuel on board is correctly balanced and distributed.

Question 20

What actions should be taken in the event of a Low Fuel State

QRH 12.24 - OMA 8.18.24

Answer 20

Tell ATC ‘MINIMUM FUEL’ when
Committed to land at specific A/D, and
Changes to existing clc may result in ldg with < RES fuel
Mayday if will land below reserve. Include Fuel remaining in mins at landing at suitable airfield
NOTE: Consider the FUEL QTY LOW NNC - QRH 12.24

Question 21

What paperwork needs raised if the aircraft lands with less fuel than Reserves?

Answer 21

ASR if landing with fuel less than Reserves.

List of Reportable Incidents - OM A 11.A.2

Question 22

FUEL QTY LOW - QRH 12.24

Answer 22

EICAS message generated when either main tank has an indicated fuel quantity of 2000kg or less.
If the ECL is actioned and a flap 20 landing performed due to FUEL QTY LOW message, sumbit an ASR.
Check for leak first
General: Use approx 1000kg for aprch from hold @LHR to GA