Dear friends and followers, today I'll be talking about a very important topic:
All you need to know about fuel figures.
So let's get started!
Now a lot of passengers have the impression that pilots fuel up the aircraft
as if they would fuel up their cars.
Fuel loads in, and just go for it.
But that is not true!
On most flights you only fuel up the plane with the amount of fuel you need
for the trip to get to your destination.
And a little bit more in case that you have to alternate to another aerodrome
And some more to comply with flight regulations.
So let's imagine this is our fuel tank
and we will be flying from Dusseldorf to Faro Portugal.
So regarding our flight plan, we need this amount of trip fuel
So let's put that into the tank.
Now, what exactly determines 'Trip Fuel'?
The 'Trip Fuel' is the fuel you need from the point of takeoff
Climb
Cruise flight
Descent
Approach and until touchdown at your destination.
So more or less you can say it's the fuel from A to B.
But that, for sure, it wouldn't be enough
You never know how much do wind would might shift during that flight
Thunderstorms you might have to circumnavigate
And maybe the Air Traffic Controller won't let you climb to the requested Flight Level
And you're flying at the lower level
Resulting in a higher fuel consumption
And therefore, you add a so called 'Contingency Fuel'.
Which must either be 5% of the 'Trip Fuel'
Or a minimum of 5 extra minutes which is also mandatory by law.
I'm gonna have to make another video only about 'Contingency Fuel' and 'Alternate Fuel'
cuz there are a few more facts you need to know about.
Okay, now let's imagine you're on final approach at Faro
And a preceding aircraft has blocked the runway due to a burst tire.
Then what? Ahah
You would have to perform a Go Around and you wouldn't be able to land at your destination.
Therefore, you add the so called 'Alternate Fuel' ... into your tank.
The 'Alternate Fuel' will get you to your alternate aerodrome
Which you have chosen during your briefing.
So the missed approach at Faro is part of the 'Alternate Fuel'
Plus the Climb, Cruise, and Descent and Approach to the alternate aerodrome.
So in our case, our alternate airport is Seville in Spain.
Now, in approach to Seville and the Controller Tower says,
'AirJoe 125, Go around. The runway is blocked because the runway inspection car has just broken down.'
Okay, I admit you are really having a really bad day as it is, and now this:
Okay, so let's recapture the 'Trip Fuel' is used up
The 'Contingency and the Alternate Fuel'. So what's left?
There's so called 'Final Reserve Fuel'
which is regulated by law and must be a minimum of 30 minutes flying time at a 1500 feet over the aerodrome, the holding speed.
So, Seville has 30 minutes to get the car from the runway
And you will be Number 1 for approach, cuz you will have declared a 'Fuel Emergency'
As soon as you start using the 'Final Reserve Fuel'.
Now, pilots have the option to add some extra fuel at their own discretion
And there many reasons for extra fuel.
If you are familiar with the airport and you know that the rush hour is just at your arrival time
You might want to add a little extra just for maybe a holding or long transitions.
Or, if there are many isolated thunderstorms predicted on your route
You might want to add a little extra just to have some reserve, so you don't immediately have to divert.
But keep in mind, adding more fuel will increase the fuel flow due to the more weight you're gonna be have to flying around with.
And last but not least, you need 'Taxi Fuel'.
That's the fuel getting you from the gate position to the runway.
But not only that, it's also considered to fuel the 'Auxilary Power Unit (APU)' for air-conditioning and engine start.
And you can add a little more extra 'Taxi Fuel' if you feel the need, especially during winter operation
In case your airplane needs to get deiced, which will extend your taxi time and your fuel burn by a good 15 minutes!
So, adding up all the fuel figures will give you the so called 'Block Fuel'.
The fuel which you will have on board at the parking position before the blocks are removed
And you're ready for engine start.
Okay, this was a basic introduction into the fuel chapter of a jet airplane.
I must admit there are a few more details to learn about the 'Contingency', 'Alternate' and 'Final Reserve' fuel
But more sorts of legal regulations.
For example, if your destination airport has 2 or more runways
Different procedures apply, such as 'enroute alternate' and 'weather minimas'.
But more about that, in another video.
I hope I was able to answer another aviation related question for you!
Please be so kind to share the video with your Facebook friends
And make sure to subscribe my channel, and follow me for great aviation pictures on my Instagram account.
So, see you soon! All the best
Farewell. Your Captain Joe.
A great tip for future pilots
Start practicing to convert 'Kilograms' to 'Pounds' and vice versa.
Cuz, for example in the U.S.
Fuel figures are given in 'Pounds' and in most European countries... in 'Kilograms'.
And... not in 'Litres'. Haha
That's got to do with the density of the fuel but more about that in another video.
Bye Bye!