Fuel policy OM a 8.18

Question 1

Dispatch without Destination Alternate

Answer 1

Diversion fuel may be replaced with fuel sufficient for 15 mins holding at 1500 feet (equivalent to half reserve fuel) provided that:

1. The duration of the flight from take off to landing does not exceed 6 hours,
2. Two seperate runways must be available and useable at destination aerodrome and the weather reports and/or forecasts shall indicate, for a period of 1 hour before to 1 hour after planned arrival, that the ceiling is 2000ft or circling height plus 500 feet, whichever greater, and the ground visibility is at least 5km.

Question 2

Pre dispatch planning adjustments (last minute increase in required fuel and not feasible to uplift more)

Answer 2

Use cost index 0

Reduction below statistical taxi fuel

Dispatch without destination alternate

Reduction of contingency fuel to a minimum of 5 minutes

Question 3

Action in the event of a fuel shortfall

Answer 3

In order for a flight to be able to continue to destination when a fuel check shows that it will arrive with less than Diversion + Reserve fuel, one of the following must be satisfied:

Maximum delay not known or EAT not received:

At any time, possible to reach two aerodromes where landing is assured

Within 6 hours flight time, possible to reach destination with reserve plus 15 minutes as long as two separate runways, forecast +-1 hour of arrival is 2000/circling plus 500 and visibility 5km.

Within 2 hours flight time, 2 separate runways at an aerodrome may be considered equivalent to 2 separate aerodromes provided account is taken of any likely ATC delay

If Delay known or EAT received:

At any time, the flight may continue to destination regardless of the number of runways available as long as landing is assured and the flight is able to reach destination with at least reserve fuel at touchdown.

Question 4

What does landing assured mean?

Answer 4

A landing is assured if, in the judgement of the commander, it could be completed in the event of any forecast deterioration in the weather and single plausible failures of ground and airborne facilities (e.g cat IIIB to cat IIIA)

Question 5

When do you have to advise ATC of ‘minimum fuel’?

Answer 5

Commander must advise ATC of a minimal fuel state by declaring “MINIMUM FUEL” when:

1. They have committed to land at a specific aerodrome, and
2. They calculate that any change to the existing clearance may result in landing with less than minimum reserve fuel in tanks.

(Not an emergency situation but advise ATC that any further delay may result in a fuel emergency)

Question 6

Fuel MAYDAY

Answer 6

If having declared minimum fuel, ATC advises that the delay is too long to allow landing above final reserve then the commander must inform ATC of a fuel emergency using “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY FUEL”

They should inform ATC of fuel remaining in minutes.