FUEL POLICY AND STANDARD FUEL PLANNING (PART I)

FUEL POLICY

The fuel quantity required for a safe trip along the planned is calculated for each flight. Each operator has its own policy. This policy is based on the loading of minimum regulatory fuel requirements.

An operator must establish a fuel policy for the purpose of flight planning and in-flight re-planning to ensure that every flight carries sufficient fuel for the planned operation and reserves to cover deviations from the planned operation.

STANDARD FUEL PLANNING

An operator should base the company fuel policy and ensure that the pre-flight calculation of standard fuel required for a flight. The minimum fuel quantity calculated for flight planning is defined as:

- Taxi fuel;
- Trip fuel;
- Reserve fuel consisting of:
        - Contingency fuel.
        - Alternate fuel, if a destination alternate is required.
        - Final reserve or holding fuel.
        - Additional fuel, if required by the type of operation (ETOPS, Isolated aerodrome), Economy/Thru tankage or company fuel.

Taxi Fuel

Taxi fuel, which should not be less than the amount expected to be used prior to takeoff. Taxi fuel usually a fixed or a standard quantity for an average taxi duration to cover APU consumption, engine start and ground maneuvers until start of takeoff.

Note
Local conditions at the departure aerodrome and APU consumption should be taken into account. Based on statistics or evaluation, the taxi duration and taxi fuel may need to be adjusted.

Trip Fuel

The required fuel quantity from brake release at the departure airport to the landing touchdown at the destination airport, is referred to as trip fuel. This quantity takes into account the necessary fuel for:
- Takeoff;
- Climb to cruise level;
- Flight from Top of Climb (ToC) to Top of Descent (ToD), including any step climb/descent;
- Flight from Top of Descent (ToD) to the beginning of approach;
- Approach;
- Landing at the destination airport.

Contingency Fuel

The amount of fuel required to cover deviations during flight from the Planned operating conditions as well as to provide operational flexibility in case of in-flight malfunctions.

When planning a flight, the CF shall be 5% of the planned trip fuel. This amount may, to accommodate payload or for fuel economy, be reduced to a minimum of 3% of the planned trip fuel, provided an en route alternate is available*.

*Note
If an en route alternate is available within a circle having a radius equal to 20% of the total flight plan distance, the center of which lies on the planned route at a distance from the destination of 25% of the total flight plan distance.