Fuel Policy

Question 1

When uplift of additional fuel displaces payload offered what must the PIC do?

Answer 1

Submit an OSCAR

Question 2

What is the absolute minimum fuel allowable at the completion of the landing role out?

Answer 2

Fixed reserves

Question 3

When is an aircraft considered to be dispatached?

Answer 3

Once the takeoff roll has commenced

Question 4

Pre-flight fuel order shall not normally be less than:

Answer 4

Taxi fuel
Flight Fuel
Alternate fuel (when required)
Variable reserve
Fixed reserve
Weather / Traffic fuel
Contingency Fuel
Manoeuvring fuel (included in flight fuel)

Question 5

At all times on in flight fuel shall not be less than?

Answer 5

Fuel to proceed to destination
5% of the above
Fuel to proceed from destination to Alternate
Fixed reserves

Question 6

When it is necessary to re-plan fuel requirements in flight due to an engine failure or pressurisation failure. The aircraft must be able to proceed to land at an adequate airport with what reserve fuel?

Answer 6

In the case of an engine failure en route 30 min single engine fixed reserve.

In case of depressurisation 30 min single engine fixed reserve.

Question 7

Taxi fuel allowance is and includes what?

Answer 7

30 min APU usage, Engine start and pre departure taxi.

A320 200Kg
A321 200Kg

Question 8

What is flight fuel?

Answer 8

The fuel required from take off to touch down at the destination. including allowances for expected winds, meteorological conditions and possible variations in ATC routings.

Question 9

What is Alternate fuel?

Answer 9

Fuel required to carry out a missed approach from destination airport to the Alternate airport.

Question 10

What is variable reserve?

Answer 10

The lesser of:

A sufficient quantity of fuel to fly for a period of 5% of the total time required to fly to the destination at cruising altitude.

or

Quantity of fuel sufficient to hold for 15min above the destination at an altitude of 1500’

Question 11

What is fixed reserve?

Answer 11

The reserve fuel calculated as 30min of Holding fuel at 1500’. It is the min fuel required to be in the tanks at the completion of the landing role.

Question 12

What is Weather / Traffic fuel?

Answer 12

Fuel calculated at 20,000’ holding fuel flow to cover the following:
Projected ATC traffic holding
Projected weather related holding
Periods when suitable airport is forecast to require an Alternate for “Tempo” interval during the applicable period.

Question 13

When to carry Tempo Fuel and what is it?

Answer 13

For Tempo conditions: BKN or OVC cloud below 2000’ and / or less than 5km visibility.

A320 2400kg
A321 3000kg

If carrying Alternate fuel requires less fuel than Tempo fuel, then Alternate will be planned.

Question 14

What is manoeuvring fuel?

Answer 14

A quantity of fuel included in the PRE-FLIGHT order to allow for additional manoeuvring for departure / arrival procedures.

Standard manoeuvring fuel is
A320 200kg
A321 250kg
included in flight fuel

Question 15

Company Minimum fuel over destination

Answer 15

A320 2400kg
A321 3000kg

Can be reduced to minimum legal fuel. To maximise payload ONLY after consultation with the PIC. Flight dispatch will not plan less that company min without consultation.

Question 16

What is a landing commitment?

Answer 16

It allows for the removal of the Alternate requirement INFLIGHT under the following conditions.

Traffic: if the traffic holding has a definite completion time and sufficient fuel remains to hold until the completion of the traffic holding and land without jeopardising the fixed reserve.

Weather: Provided the weather is actually improving and can be confirmed without doubt. Then it is acceptable to commit to the airport rather than divert. Provided the fixed reservers remain intact.

Question 17

What is the penalty for caring extra fuel?

Answer 17

Approx 2.5% of the extra uplift per hour.

Question 18

When should an “out of area” Alternate be planned?

Answer 18

When wide spread disruption is forecast, such as Typhoon, gale force winds or fog)

Question 19

When should tankering fuel NOT be carried?

Answer 19

When:
Ice, snow or slush is forecast at the destination
The destination Runway is forecast to be WET and NOTAM advises of reduced braking for any reason.
The forecast runway has a displaced threshold due to runway works.
When company operational document specifically advise that tankering should not be undertaken on a particular sector.

Question 20

Standard Tankering limitations:

Answer 20

The planned landing weight shall not exceed the airport weight bearing capacity.

Next sector performance limits must be taken into account.

Fuel to meet destination Weather / traffic requirements should be included in the tinkering fuel.

A320/A321 For all sectors a minimum buffer of 500kg below the max landing weight for the applicable runway / conditions shall be applied.

Question 21

Fire extinguisher requirements when refuelling

Answer 21

Two or more fire extinguishers shall be positioned within 15M but less than 6M from the aircraft and the fuelling equipment. Except where two or more fire extinguishers are carried on the fuelling equipment.

Question 22

A clearance to start engines from the ground handling agent is an assurance of what?

Answer 22

That all hatches, including the refuelling panel and refuelling cap are secure.

Question 23

What is the APU burn?

Answer 23

130kg per hour or 2.2 KG per minuet.

Question 24

By how many separate methods must the fuel be checked each flight?

Answer 24

Two to obtain a 3% check.

Question 25

When would a magna stick check be normally conducted?

Answer 25

Normally only when a fuel indicator reading is inoperative They may also be used for a 3% check when a fuel record is missing an d there is no other method available to verify the fuel quantity indicator readings.

Question 26

When determining the 3% check. If the aircraft has been on the ground for an extended period what should be additional taken into account?

Answer 26

APU burn. 130kg per hour is to be assumed.

Question 27

Who conducts water testing of the fuel?

Answer 27

A "trained person" in accordance with the maintain control manual. In Vietnam the refuelling company is responsible for water tests prior to refuelling. At airports with no engineering support pilots are to view the water detector test capsule prior to singing the fuel receipt.

Question 28

When are water drains conducted and by who?

Answer 28

By engineering during the daily inspection.

Question 29

If no SG is noted on the fuel docket what SG should be used?

Answer 29

SG of 0.79

Question 30

If the fuel docket is supplied in US gallons only what conversion to kilos should be used?

Answer 30

US Gallon X 3.785 = Liters

Question 31

If an abnormality in the fuel consumption rate is detected. What should the PIC do?

Answer 31

Notify, the duty Capt. via OCC.

Question 32

Sign positions whilst refuelling with passengers on board:

Answer 32

Fasten safety belts signs are OFF No smoking sign is ON Emergency lights are ARMED Areas outside the aircraft where an emergency evacuation would take place are kept clear.

Question 33

Can we upload "Wide cut " Fuel?

Answer 33

No, as it has no anti static additives.

Question 34

When refuelling with passengers onboard. Is there a requirement to have a pilot at the controls?

Answer 34

Yes, The onboard pilot must be in a position to receive communications of an impending fuel problem by the pilot on the ground or the ground staff.

Question 35

When refuelling with passengers onboard who must stay within the vicinity of the fuel truck?

Answer 35

Either the pilot on the ground or trained ground staff. To ensure that Ground power supply attached to the aircraft is not disconnected until feeling is complete. Alert the onboard pilot if a spill or fire occurs. Stop refuelling upon request of pilot onboard or ground staff.

Question 36

APU use during refuelling

Answer 36

APU may be running during refuelling. However it shall not be started or intentionally shut down, unless IAW FCOM or ECAM.

Question 37

During refuelling no aircraft fuelling tank filling point or vent shall lie within?

Answer 37

5M of any sealed building 6M of any stationary aircraft 15M of any exposed public area 15M of any unsealed building

Question 38

What is a sealed building?

Answer 38

A sealed building is one with all external parts within 15M of an aircrafts fuel tank filling points or ground fuelling equipment, constructed of non flammable materials and has no openings, or all openings are closed.

Question 39

Can the HF radio be turned whilst refuelling

Answer 39

No, this constitutes an ignition hazard.

Question 40

Operation of engines, generators or electrical apparatus is prohibited within 15M fuel tank filling points or vent outlets during fuelling. How dose ground service equipment comply ?

Answer 40

Approved engines driving ground service equipment are exempt from this requirement.

Question 41

If a fuel leak occurs on the ground. When should the fire services be notified?

Answer 41

When the fuel quantity is likely to cause a hazard. Approx 2M X 2M patch of surface area or greater.

Question 42

With a fuel leak on the ground where should the passengers be?

Answer 42

Passengers should be moved to a point at least 15M from the spilled fuel.

Question 43

Can maintenance work of any kind be conducted with a fuel spill on the ground.

Answer 43

No, Maintenance must be suspended until the fuel spill has been removed.

Question 44

Can we keep the APU running with a fuel spill on the ground?

Answer 44

No, an APU normal shutdown must be completed if a fuel spill has occurred.