Fuel balancing of B747-400
Good morning! gentlemen..
I'm a newcomer of B747-400.
My B747-400 Operating manual says "To maintain CG and reduce drag ,operate the airplane whithin limits of FUEL IMBALANCE EICAS advisories."
Q1> For lateral balance, we may balance 1&4 or 2&3 tanks.But some old pilots always hesitate to turn off the main pumps of the lower fuel tanks. I want to know the ways you are doing for lateral balance.
Q2>For longitudinal balance , pilot may open all X-feed valves and turn off the fuel pumps in the lower tanks.
Does this mean we have to maintain the fuel quantity of inner tanks lower than the outer?( some pilos always open lower EICAS for that. They say they can reduce the wing load and save the fuel with that.)
Q3> Do we have to wait util the EICAS message comes on for fuel balancing or
do you have any personal limitations for fuel balancing?
Q4>How much fuel can we save with the fuel balancing?
Any informations will be very helpful.
Thanks...