Up, up and away … Hopefully ALL the way.
The cost of fuel is causing problems for everyone, especially here in Hawaii where just about everything has to be shipped in. Shipped a long way, too, because we’re 2300 miles from anywhere.
Everyone is trying to use as little fuel as possible. My wife and I are much more careful about where and when we drive, combining errands wherever possible.
The airlines have been affected big time, of course, because jet planes guzzle huge quantities of fuel, especially on take-off and climbing to cruising altitude.
According to FAA regulations, commercial jets are required to carry enough fuel to get them to their scheduled destination plus enough reserve for an additional 45 minutes of flying, obviously a prudent margin of safety because of possible delays caused by bad weather or air traffic congestion.
But jet fuel is heavy and apparently the airlines are taking advantage of a section in the FAA regulations that says it’s OK to use less than the required amount of extra fuel if they file what is called a “minimum fuel declaration.” And they’re doing exactly that in order to reduce the weight of the plane on take-off, which burns less fuel and saves money.
The question, of course, is how close are they going to figure it?
Evidently, sometimes it’s too close. Passengers on a recent Continental flight destined for Newark were surprised to find their plane landing at a National Guard airbase in New York state, less than 100 miles from Newark … for refueling.
So far, there’s only anecdotal evidence, but there has apparently been a significant increase in the number of incidents where airline pilots have had to request priority for landing because they are running low on fuel.
Traveling anytime soon? Enjoy your flight.
As I understand it, the “min fuel” declaration is still used when necessary. According to a couple of stories I’ve read, there has been a significant increase in such declarations over the past few months. The polots’ union has expressed concern and supposedly the FAA is looking into it. We shall see.
Jim, if I remember correctly from my Air Force days (I was a navigator) the “min fuel” declaration was a not-quite-emergency declaration that’s primary purpose was to inform air traffic control that you required priority on arrival. In other words, you use it when you can’t afford to be put into holding somewhere while other aircraft land ahead of you. It was – back in the day – considered almost bad form and implied that the crew didn’t know how to plan their fuel load. As I understand it, though, the airline dispatcher calculate the fuel – hopefully with the captain’s approval of the figures.
However, I agree: it IS one more reason for taking Amtrak!
Me, too! One more reason for taking Amtrak.
Great post! Glad I found it. I hope I am never on the plane that miscalculates the fuel needed!