My understanding is that Block Fuel should include all usuable fuel onboard an aircraft before engine start. Therefore ballast fuel should be included in this figure, even if not planned to be used.
And the confusion continues. It could be argued, as
this site does, that ballast fuel is "non-usable" fuel. Note that the definition of block fuel is the "total fuel on board".
Does anyone else have an opinion on this?
Terms from:
http://www.hilmerby.com/fom/proc_speed.html
Fuel terms.
Ballast fuel. Non-usable fuel used for balancing purpose (only possible on some aircraft). The ballast fuel is separated from takeoff fuel (usable fuel) and loaded ia a separate tank. the fuel must not be consumed or jettisoned during flight.
Block fuel. Weight of total amount of fuel on board before starting taxi.
Burn-off fuel. Taxi fuel plus trip fuel.
Reserve fuel. Difference between takeoff fuel and trip fuel, consiting of:
- Route reserve,
- diversion,
- holding, and
- additional fuel.
Taxi fuel. Weight of fuel to cover APU consumption, engine start and ground maneuvers until start of takeoff. Standard weights are used which are, with a few exceptions, applicable at every airport.
TOF = TakeOff Fuel. Weight of total usable fuel onboard at the moment of takeoff (brake release).
Trip fuel. Weight of the precalculated fuel consumption from takeoff to touchdown at the next point of landing.