QTR fuel management and ATC
SCENARIO 1
A ‘Bunch’ of QTR arrivals (B777, A333 and A320’s) from DETKO that need streaming to hand off to Doha at SESNA 10nm+ in trail
To make this work with as little delay to the overall sequence... the A320 in front needs to help us out..
When instructed to track direct SESNA and increase from 74 to 79 for sequencing..... number one ...
The reply was ‘unable to increase speed due fuel management’ or words to that effect.
CONSEQUENCE
Number 2, the A330 was slowed back to 76,
Number 3 the B777 was vectored 20deg right and slowed to 78,
Number 4 another A330 was turned 30deg and slowed to 76...
The tail end A320 out of Kuwait flew the trip at 73-74 (which probably suited the cabin service)
SCENARIO 2
QTR arrivals again but with a mix or arrivals from the west to sequence with the DETKO traffic...
In the interests of as little delay as possible to the sequence an A320 from the west is told to turn 20deg left for sequencing..... number four
The response was ... ‘unable to take a turn due to fuel.....’
CONSEQUENCE
B777 from the north slowed from 81 to 77 and vectored 40deg right for 80nm to make number 4
The uncooperative A320 had to be shortcut to make number 3
SCENARIO 3
A320 (again) was shortcut to SESNA and instructed to fly 79 to stay ahead of an A330 which was slowed to 79
The pilot read back instruction as given
As the situation was developing it was obvious that something was amiss as rather than the 7nm gap increasing they were getting closer.
MODE S indicated the A320 was still flying at 76 even though the instruction to increase was acknowledged
CONSEQUENCE
The A330 was slowed to 76 and vectored 20deg
Some rushed coordination with the busy Doha controller followed as it was obvious they would receive these flights with less than the agreed distance and number 2 would be high (penetrating another sector requiring further coordination).
QUESTIONS
How much of a saving in fuel burn is there at F330 doing 74 compared to 78-80 for 120 miles??
How much of a penalty is it to the various aircraft behind when they fly extra track miles at reduced speed?
Are there many pilots out there who consider it acceptable to wilfully ignore ATC instructions and then fail to advise this to ATC?
Are you QTR crews paid a fuel bonus?
Do you plan your fuel use that close to limits as a matter of policy or is it just one or two crews pissing us around?