PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Fog in Perth (Part 2)
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Old 27th September 2006 | 07:00
  #15 (permalink)  
ShockWave
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 277
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From: Australia
QF had another incident with fog in Perth on a 767 back in the 80s, which resulted in an autoland I think.
Since that time the amount of traffic has increased both domestically and ineternationally quite a lot.
The science of flight planning and met briefings/info has also developed to a very high level allowing operators to use minimum fuel more often safely.
There is also a huge amount of pressure on crews to carry less fuel which results in less aircraft weight and less fuel burn, resulting in bigger proffits and paycheck for the CEO.
To carry less fuel means not adding extra at the Captains discretion, to do this you are expected to trust the system more than your own fear factor.
A lot of airlines also have fuel monitoring policies to check up on Captains and how much fuel they uplift above minimum and their fuel burn.

However, Captains are still responsible for how much fuel is enough and are expected to carry it when they can explain the need. Both by Gov Regs and their company.
No sane pilot would ever rely on auto land to enable him to carry less fuel to a non CAT11 airport, it is a last resort emergency only.
I also don't think any airline would expect this either.
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