Reserve fuel

[Chris41]

you're supposed to have a reserve fuel of one hour. Often times I land with that reserve and there's no problem. But, when I'm forced to do a "go
around" because of some airplane in on the runway, I land with maybe around 30-40 minutes worth of fuel. I don't want to bog myself down with fuel,
which will happen if no go around takes place....just wondering if there's a way around that. I'm already forced to give myself 2350 gallons of extra
fuel than what the flight planner calls for. I don't wish to add an extra 1000 gallons because of a "go around" which most likely I will not have to do.

[ivo]

if you are using default ATC, just ingore them.

Reserve fuel should be enough for:

Holding for 45 minutes
Getting to alternate airport

and a couple of other things which I can't remember at the moment :P

[Airliner]

I posted on this before as well. Same problem - sometimes you have to use that reserve fuel - what then? Say you need to use the
alternate airport and dip into that reserve for what it was meant for. There needs to be something to account for that. One way would be
to allow the pilot to enter the alternate airport at the start and if diverted there, this will remove the fuel penalty. As for holding patterns and
the like, don't know - maybe something that triggers if you are within a certain range of the arrival airport and detects if you spend longer
than normal from that point 'till final touchdown. Say you enter the PHX airpspace at 0900 and you SHOULD land at 0915 - if you arrive at
1000, that should inform the program that you were in a pattern waiting to be cleared (or, you got lost! ).

if you are using default ATC, just ingore them.

Yeah, right! I'm sure THAT'S as real as it gets!

[CowlFlapsOpen]

The opposite issue is also something that I hope gets addressed in the next version: There is no incentive for wise fueling. Because you are only
charged for fuel you burn (not load) you can widely overestimate fuel without fear of consequence. I always thought it ironic that FsP deducts a $4
airport fee from income but is unconcerned about the 15 gallons of unnecessary and unburned fuel you left in your tanks.

I like Airliner's ideas.

[fredneck]

On a similar note, I started a short flight in a Saab340 last night and loaded the appropriate amount of few to cover the trip, reserve and
alt airport and headed for the runway.

What I didn't notice as I pushed back was that I was TOO CLOSE to one of the auto refuel areas at the airport and the auto fuel topped off
my tanks. I was almost at maximum weight when I departed the gate with pax and cargo and with the extra unneeded fuel "thrown" on
board by FS, I became overweight. I didn't noticed this until takeoff when I stalled just above the runway and crashed.

Anyone know how to disable the auto refuel functions in FS?

Thanks

[ivo]

Airliner wrote:

if you are using default ATC, just ingore them.

Yeah, right! I'm sure THAT'S as real as it gets!

well, its certainly more realistic than going around 15 times.

Thats why I use VATSIM. Default ATC sucks.

[CowlFlapsOpen]

Hey Fredneck. The cursed autofuel. I've never crashed, but if I taxi any where NEAR a fueling station I will end up with negative fuel usage and
income instead of expenses!

If any one knows how to kill those cursed fuel pumps I'd be interested. Several airports I frequent have taxi ways that bring you past them. I
originaly thought one had to set the parking brake to fuel at one of those, but obviously not. It reminds me of the windsheild washer guys who
assault you on city streets in your car. They'll wash your windows and ask for money whether you want them to or not! These guys will run out and
fill your tanks if you get anywhere near them! Devilish business plan.

[hmdomingos]

ivo wrote:

Airliner wrote:

if you are using default ATC, just ingore them.

Yeah, right! I'm sure THAT'S as real as it gets!

well, its certainly more realistic than going around 15 times.

Thats why I use VATSIM. Default ATC sucks.

I Just lost 2:30 hours of flight because of this issue... I arrived at destination right on time received ATC instruction for traffic pattern
performed it, but until short final i didn't get landing clearance, I was over the threshold and wasn't cleared either to land or to go around,
so I did land, and that's when a 737 comes out of the taxiway into the runway... I swear I didn't see it until it was right in front of me, I still
applied full power, a tail strike and a stall but it wasn't enough and I crashed




I sure am mad as hell, i just don't know who should I be mad with... me or the ATC?

[walterp]

I was over the threshold and wasn't cleared either to land or to go around,
so I did land,

So it was your error.
You land in real life without hearing the magic words "cleared to land" you can hand in your license at the door.
Unless you are cleared to land you go around.

[Airliner]

a 737 comes out of the taxiway into the runway

That's cause to bring out the FAA and examine the ATC staff! ATC SHOULD have given you the command to go around BUT, in this case,
it should have told the 737 to hold short, caution the ---- on final. Either way, it was the fault of ATC, in this case. After that, if you didn't get
clearance, you should go around but, in the real world, I really don't think ATC would leave you hanging like that.

Incursions like this are quite common at my local station - KBOS, as many will know. Someone's always getting tagged there! I
remember one report of an aircraft being taxiied by ground crew and they ignored ATC instruction and blew across the airport without any
regard. NICE!

While I was working there, one of our (US Airways) jets got into a minor collision with a Delta Shuttle. I don't remember which was which
but, one was pushing back and it was pushed right into the tail of the other! Again, not good! MUCHO damage to the tails.

well, its certainly more realistic than going around 15 times.

Agreed! CURSE the FS9 ATC!

There is no incentive for wise fueling.

I brought that up a long time ago. The way I would do it would be to charge you straight away for whatever fuel you load at the origin
airport's rate. Then, track the aircraft and fuel amount on touchdown. You can still calc how much fuel was burned, for future reference
and planning. Now, save whatever fuel is in your tanks and the aircraft location. When you load up again, you only get charged for the
additional fuel you take.

Without the aircraft track option, simply do the first one - you load too much fuel, you pay for it! I still rack my brain over how much fuel to
take because I want maximum efficiency but again, there is no financial penalty (other than increased fuel burn for being at a higher
weight) for taking excess fuel.

This isn't too much of an issue for a Cessna but, if you're taking a jumbo on a 4 hour hop, you could take hours more fuel than you need
and no one would give a rip one way or the other.