Originally Posted by
donpizmeov
Big picture, the rules say you must land, with at least your Final Reserve intact . If you think that is going to be compromised, you have some options, either divert land refuel somewhere it is still intact at. Or, if that is not available, declare “minimum fuel” when you think it might be compromised or Mayday Fuel when you are pretty sure it is compromised . Big picture, it's pretty simple . As any fuel required rules should be.
Real world, we have some modern aircraft that can give the pilot a pretty good idea of how much fuel they still have available. These types normally fly with a computerised flight plan that uses accurate, up to date weather data, and fuel flows . Most larger commercial companies even have fuel monitoring software programs that can adjust fuel flows for individual tail numbers on their flight plans . The reason they go to all the expense of doing this is to enable them to fly without having to cart around extraneous extra fuel, with its added expense .
Other aircraft, like Claires and ganders, fly around with fuel sloshing around in the tanks. With the pilots only having, it seems, a guess at how much is on board, or what endurance is, so feel that they don't need to do enroute fuel checks . But the rules still apply . So knowing the rules, these pilots on-load an amount of fuel, that their planning and experience tells them is sufficient to do the job . We call that, being a pilot. If they need 10% extra or 5% extra doesn't make any difference . On an hours flight that is 3min, on a 3hr flight that is 9min. They know the rule about Final Reserve, and will follow it. Just as they did the day before the new rule took
effect.
Those that are unable to see the big picture, and understand these rules, follow yet another rule . That is the rule of Darwinism .
iCAO, and it now seems CASA, have decided that those with the new flash aeroplanes shouldn't have to be penalised in their fuel planning by those that fly more ancient aircraft . So they have modified the rules, but have left the big picture alone, knowing that pilots should be able to do pilot stuff . And fuel planning to keep your Final Reserve intact, does infact, come under the title of doing pilot stuff.