Flight Planning & Fuel Management Concepts Flashcards

Under FAR 91.167, IFR flights must carry enough fuel to fly to the destination, then to the alternate, plus how much reserve?

Answer: 45 minutes at normal cruise

FAR 91.167 requires IFR aircraft to carry fuel to reach the destination, then the alternate airport, plus 45 minutes of fuel at normal cruise speed.

When can an alternate airport be omitted from an IFR flight plan?

Answer: When the 1-2-3 rule is met at the destination

Under the '1-2-3 rule,' no alternate is required if, from 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA, the destination forecast shows ceiling at least 2,000 ft and visibility at least 3 miles.

What information does a controller use from a flight plan to sequence arriving aircraft?

Answer: Estimated time of arrival (ETA), aircraft type, and equipment suffix

Controllers use the ETA, aircraft type (for wake turbulence separation), and equipment suffix (for RNAV/RNP capabilities) to sequence and separate arriving traffic.

What does a '/L' equipment suffix on a flight plan indicate to a controller?

Answer: No DME, Mode C transponder only

The '/L' suffix indicates the aircraft has no DME equipment but is equipped with a transponder with Mode C (altitude encoding).

A controller issues a 'cruise clearance' to an IFR aircraft. What does this authorize the pilot to do?

Answer: Fly at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to the assigned altitude and conduct the approach

A cruise clearance authorizes the pilot to operate at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the assigned altitude, and includes authorization to conduct the approach.

What is the purpose of requesting a 'short route' from ATC when fuel is a concern?

Answer: To obtain a more direct routing that reduces flight time and fuel burn

Requesting a short route allows a pilot to obtain a more direct clearance from ATC that reduces total distance flown and conserves fuel.