FZ Flashcards
When do you declare minimum fuel?
When committed to land at a specific aerodrome, the commander should take into account any operational factor that may cause a delay to landing, and thus determine whether the aircraft will land with less than the planned Final Reserve Fuel, even after receiving clearance from ATC. A change that may cause a delay to landing could be other than the ATC, e.g. a change of weather conditions, etc. If any such factor is likely to result in landing with less than the planned Final Reserve, the commander should declare ‘MINIMUM FUEL’ to ATC.
A ‘MINIMUM FUEL’ declaration informs the ATC that all planned aerodrome options have been reduced to a specific aerodrome of intended landing. It also informs the ATC that any change to the existing clearance may result in landing with less than the planned Final Reserve. This is not an emergency situation but an indication that an emergency situation is possible, should any additional delay occur. Crew should not expect any form of priority handling as a result of a ‘MINIMUM FUEL’ declaration. However, the ATC should advise the flight crew of any additional expected delays, as well as coordinate with other ATC units when transferring the control of the aeroplane, to ensure that the other ATC units are aware of the flight’s fuel state.
When do you declare mayday fuel?
The Commander shall declare a situation of fuel emergency by broadcasting MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY FUEL, when the calculated usable fuel predicted to be available upon landing at the nearest aerodrome where a safe landing can be made is less than the planned final reserve fuel.
What is a safe landing?
In the context of fuel schemes, a landing at an adequate aerodrome with no less than the final reserve fuel remaining and in compliance with the applicable operational procedures and aerodrome operating minima.
