Fuel

[B737]

1.In real life when we getting the operational flight plan does it contain the wind calculation in relation to determine the minimum fuel required or not?

2. If we can not reach the destination without using the reserve what should we do?

 

 

 

 

[Litjan]

1.) Yes

2.) Declare emergency, land at nearest suitable airport

[B737]

Thank you!

 

Sounds like bit better to take more fuel than required by flight plan to get more margin.

[Litjan]

Normally the fuel usage is very close to the flight plan - the variation due to wind changes is probably less than 5%.

The major part of uncertainty is the actual flight path you will take, especially deviating around weather and delays (vectoring, holding) at the arrival airport.

I will rarely take off with less than 15 minutes of extra fuel (which goes beyond the legally required reserves).

It IS legal to use your alternate fuel to hold a bit longer at your destination airport...if the chance to land there is just as good (or better) than the chance to land at your alternate airport.

The one big NO NO you want to avoid at all cost is having no "safe haven" that you can reach and land there with at least 30 minutes of fuel remaining. A good pilot will rather land at an intermediate airport to take on more fuel than to press on to a marginal destination with a marginal alternate.