ATPL Flight Planning - Class 2: Fuel.

Summary

In this video, Grant provides a detailed explanation of how fuel planning works for aviation. Unlike cars, where refueling is straightforward, aircraft require careful fuel management, considering factors like taxiing, trip distance, contingencies, alternates, and reserves. Various fuel categories are broken down, including taxi fuel, trip fuel, contingency fuel, and final reserve fuel. Procedures like the 3% contingency, reduced contingency, and predetermined point are explained to optimize fuel efficiency while ensuring safety. The importance of understanding local conditions and being prepared for emergencies is emphasized, alongside the Commander’s discretion for additional fuel based on flight-specific needs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fuel planning for aircraft requires more careful consideration than for cars, as there are no fuel stations in the air.
• 😀 The fuel onboard an aircraft can be broken down into different types, such as taxi fuel, trip fuel, contingency fuel, and final reserve fuel.
• 😀 Taxi fuel is used for moving from the gate to the runway and is typically a small amount, varying with airport layout and runway distance.
• 😀 Trip fuel is the fuel needed for the entire flight from takeoff to landing, accounting for routing, weather, and airport approach specifics.
• 😀 Contingency fuel is a backup reserve for unforeseen situations like changes in flight routing or weather, typically calculated as 5% of the trip fuel.
• 😀 Additional fuel may be added for specific circumstances such as extended twin operations (ETOPS) or flights to remote airports without a nearby alternate destination.
• 😀 Alternate fuel is used to fly to an alternate airport in case the destination airport is not accessible, including fuel for missed approaches and holding procedures.
• 😀 Final reserve fuel is a safety measure, requiring 30 minutes of holding fuel for jet aircraft and 45 minutes for piston aircraft, to be used only in emergencies.
• 😀 Extra fuel is discretionary, allowing the captain to add fuel based on local conditions, such as expected delays or need for extended holding.
• 😀 The three percent contingency procedure allows for reducing the contingency fuel from 5% to 3% if there's a suitable on-route alternate airport, saving fuel and allowing for more passengers and cargo.
• 😀 The predetermined point procedure enables a decision between committing to the destination or an alternate, helping to save fuel by eliminating the need for alternate fuel in some cases.

Q & A

What is contingency fuel, and how is it calculated?

Contingency fuel is the additional fuel added to the flight plan to cover unforeseen events, such as rerouting or delays. It is typically 5% of the trip fuel or, in some cases, 3% if there is a suitable on-route alternate airport.

What does final reserve fuel refer to in aviation fuel planning?

Final reserve fuel is the minimum fuel required for an emergency situation. For propeller aircraft, it is 45 minutes of fuel, and for jets, it is 30 minutes of holding fuel at 1,500 feet above the destination alternate.

How is the extra fuel calculated in the context of a flight plan?

Extra fuel is the discretionary fuel added by the pilot based on local knowledge, such as expected delays, air traffic control restrictions, or the need for auxiliary power unit (APU) usage before engine startup. This ensures enough fuel to accommodate unexpected situations.

What is the purpose of adding additional fuel for a destination alternate?

Additional fuel is added for a destination alternate to ensure the aircraft can safely reach a backup airport if the destination is not available for landing. This includes the fuel for the missed approach, arrival, and approach into the alternate.

What is a predetermined point procedure, and when is it used?

A predetermined point procedure involves choosing a specific point along the flight path to decide whether to continue to the destination or divert to the alternate airport. This procedure is used for distant airports, and if the alternate is chosen, additional final reserve fuel is carried.

Why is contingency fuel reduced to 3% in some situations?

Contingency fuel can be reduced to 3% instead of the standard 5% when there is an on-route alternate airport available, providing a safety buffer if the flight path needs to be adjusted.

What is the difference between trip fuel and additional fuel?

Trip fuel is the amount of fuel needed to fly from the departure airport to the destination, including climb, cruise, and descent. Additional fuel covers extra needs like delays, diversions to alternate airports, and extra contingencies.

What factors influence the amount of fuel required for a flight?

Factors influencing fuel requirements include the trip distance, alternate airports, possible delays, weather conditions, air traffic control restrictions, and the aircraft's fuel consumption rate during different phases of flight.

What is the significance of the fuel for a missed approach in fuel planning?

Fuel for a missed approach is included to account for the possibility that the aircraft may not be able to land on the first attempt, requiring additional fuel for a go-around and a subsequent approach to the destination or alternate airport.

How does the procedure for final reserve fuel differ for jets and propeller aircraft?

For jets, final reserve fuel is calculated as 30 minutes of holding fuel at 1,500 feet above the destination alternate. For propeller aircraft, it is 45 minutes of fuel, reflecting the differing fuel consumption rates and operational requirements of each type of aircraft.