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Fuel Holding Alternate question
Rjabreu91
Topic Author
Rjabreu91 created the topic: Fuel Holding Alternate question
Hi all,
Quick question.
If you arrive over an aerodrome which you have carried 30 mins holding fuel for, however atc advise due to delays you will have to hold for 40 mins. You have nominated an alternate which is exactly 30 mins away. If you hold for anymore the 30 mins you will burn into your fixed reserve.
The default option would be to proceed to alternate ?
Could you ask for priority ?
What if you arrive at your alternate and you are delayed, which then burns into your fixed reserve ?
bobtait replied the topic: Fuel Holding Alternate question
An aircraft should never need to burn into it's fixed reserve unless it is in an emergency situation (that's exactly what the fixed reserve is for). In the situation you have described, once the pilot realizes the problem is developing, the pilot could advise ATC that he/she is in a fuel critical situation. If it becomes necessary to burn into the fixed reserve, an emergency should be declared. That puts you straight to the front of the queue.
In declaring an emergency, the pilot should use the phrase "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY FUEL". The situation will now be treated as an air safety incident and the pilot can expect a 'please explain'.
The same applies to alternates. AIP ENR 1.1 para 11.9.3.3 Note & AIP ENR 1.1 para 11.9.6.1
