WhisperJet

Say you're flying into DFW and your alternate is SAT. You are flying with a low time FO and the weather in DFW ends up being VFR with visual approaches being conducted. On the first approach, the FO is PF and is high and unstable at 1,000 and not making the required adjustments, so you call for a go-around.

At this point you realize once you go-around you will start burning into your alternate fuel. So are you:

1) required to go to the alternate at this point?
2) required to declare an emergency if you want to land at your destination?
3) not required to do anything; no action is needed, just come around and land again?
4) required to contact dispatch to have alt removed?

This was a question posed by an LCA but I've heard a few different answers so far.

BeechPilot33

Weather is VFR why would you go to the ALT. Just come around and land again. A more likely scenario is you have no ALT and now you will be close to getting into reserve fuel on the approach back in because dispatch gave you no extra fuel. That's why you check your fuel before you push back make sure you have enough for at least a go around. FO can screw up an approach, ATC gives you poor spacing, etc. stuff happens.

rickair7777

Prior to departure, and while enroute (which includes the GA) you need to have the gas to shoot an approach, go to the alternate, and shoot an approach there. You can't burn into the fuel to reach the alternate IF an alternate is still required.

Maybe or maybe not depending on what the TAF shows.

You can however burn into your IFR reserve once airborne. Company policy may limit that, but typically they'll let you go down to 30 minutes before declaring an emergency. That's what I would do, burn some IFR reserve gas.

Depends on fuel status and company policy.


I don't think the FAA requires that you have the ALT removed from the flight plan, but it would probably be a good idea just to avoid questions later. Company policy may differ on that.

You could also change the ALT to a nearer airport, if TAF/METAR permits.

Keep in mind that just because DFW is currently VFR, that does not mean an ALT is not required. The forecast could still trigger the alternate requirement. Remember that an ALT is actually always required by default unless certain conditions are met.

SonicFlyer

Let ATC know that you are fuel critical after the go around?

rickair7777

You may legally still need ALT gas if the METAR does not satisfy 1-2-3. Being in the pattern post-GA is still going to be considered enroute to the destination, so you still need ALT gas. But you can burn into IFR reserves, this is exactly the kind of thing it's intended for.

rickair7777

If you get into IFR reserves, yes you should declare Min Fuel. Typically an emergency if less than 30 minutes reserve (not including the legally required ALT fuel).

Airbum

Burning into IFR reserves is legal. But landing below emergency fuel is not approved. Must always have fuel required to divert to dispatched alternate domestic ops. Min fuel calls mean nothing to ATC.

Real world ops is to have your plan on diverting or burning into IFR reserves before you begin the approach. That way descion is already made when you are not time compressed.

Keep dispatch involved before the approach for a closer alternate or elimination of alternate if it is not needed and fuel is tight. Personally I would declare mayday for fuel and be landed long before I got close to emergency fuel

742Dash

While this does not directly address your concern, it does show general FAA thinking.

Pertinent quote:

"The act of using a portion of the reserve fuel assigned to a flight is not, in its self a cause to declare a minimum fuel state with the controlling agency. Regulations require reserve fuel to enable aircraft to maneuver, due to unforeseen circumstances. Many aircraft safely arrive at their destination having used a portion of the fuel designated as reserve. There is no regulatory definition as to when, specifically, a pilot must declare “minimum fuel” or a fuel emergency."

sourdough44

‘High and unstable at 1k’? Maybe at 1300’ mention something so we don’t end up high & unstable at 1k?

I know, more of a scenario question, I just like to keep ahead of things. The same thing when I see traffic in front coming inside 3 miles(2.5 min) on TCAS, time for some action.

Bucknut

Filing an alternate is regulatory under the 123 rule. Alternate fuel is for planning purposes only. You can always decide to divert to a different alternate. Another good idea is to start checking the alternate weather 30 mins. out if the weather is marginal at the destination. It really sucks not being able to get into your alternate.