Fuel Leak and In-Flight Fuel Management

Importance of In-Flight Fuel Management

Effective inflight fuel management means checking fuel levels at regular intervals and recording actual fuel on board (FOB) at each waypoint. This allows the crew to compare planned versus actual fuel consumption, spot trends, and detect anomalies early—such as a fuel leak or higher-than-expected burn due to weather or routing changes.

Detecting and Responding to Fuel Leaks

A fuel leak is typically suspected when actual fuel remaining is consistently less than planned, despite normal engine indications and fuel flow. If a discrepancy is found, the crew must:

• Recalculate fuel required to destination and alternates
• Assess if reserves and contingency fuel are still adequate
• Consider diverting to the nearest suitable aerodrome if minimum fuel cannot be assured
• Follow the aircraft's fuel leak procedure, which may include isolating tanks or shutting off affected systems

Calculating and Adjusting Fuel Figures

At each checkpoint, pilots calculate:

• Fuel used since the last check
• Updated fuel consumption rate
• Fuel remaining
• Revised endurance and range, factoring in any changes to wind, altitude, or speed If a leak or unexpected consumption is confirmed, recalculate the remaining safe range and endurance, and update the plan accordingly.

Documentation and Regulatory Compliance

Recording all fuel data is not just good practice—it is a regulatory requirement. This documentation supports decision-making and provides evidence of compliance with EASA fuel management regulations.

Key Steps in Fuel Leak Management

• Conduct regular fuel checks and record FOB
• Compare actual and planned figures at each waypoint
• Investigate significant discrepancies immediately
• Follow established fuel leak procedures if a leak is suspected
• Recalculate fuel requirements and update the plan as needed
• Communicate with ATC and company operations if diversion or priority landing is required