NCC.OP.205 Fuel/energy scheme – in-flight fuel/energy management policy

GM1 NCC.OP.205(b)&(d) Fuel/energy scheme — in-flight fuel/energy management policy

FINAL RESERVE FUEL PROTECTION To ensure a safe landing, the pilot needs to protect the FRF in accordance with point NCC.OP.131(c)(3). The objective of the FRF protection is to ensure that a safe landing is made at any aerodrome or operating site when unforeseen circumstances may not allow to safely complete the flight, as originally planned. When the FRF can no longer be protected, then a fuel emergency needs to be declared, as per point NCC.OP.205(d), and any landing option explored (e.g. for aeroplanes, aerodromes not assessed by the operator, military aerodromes, closed runways), including deviating from rules, operational procedures, and methods in the interest of safety (as per point CAT.GEN.MPA.105(b)). ICAO Doc 9976 Flight Planning and Fuel Management (FPFM) Manual and the EASA Fuel Manual contain further detailed guidance on the development of a comprehensive in-flight fuel management policy and related procedures. For helicopters, the operating site may be different from the planned destination or alternate aerodrome.

‘MINIMUM FUEL’ DECLARATION The ‘MINIMUM FUEL’ declaration informs the ATC that all planned landing options have been reduced to a specific aerodrome or operating site of intended landing, and for helicopters, that no other landing site is available. It also informs the ATC that any change to the existing clearance may result in landing with less than the planned FRF. This is not an emergency situation but an indication that an emergency situation is possible, should any additional delay occur. The pilot should not expect any form of priority handling as a result of a ‘MINIMUM FUEL’ declaration. However, the ATC should advise the flight crew of any additional expected delays, as well as coordinate with other ATC units when transferring the control of the aircraft, to ensure that the other ATC units are aware of the flight’s fuel state. ICAO Doc 9976 Flight Planning and Fuel Management (FPFM) Manual (1st Edition, 2015) and the EASA Fuel Manual contain guidance on declaring ‘MINIMUM FUEL’.