Helicopter IFR fuel planning - JAR land

[andreblor]

Hi all,

just looking for definite figures for Fuel Planning IFR.

JAR Ops 3.255

"An operator shall ensure that the preflight calculation of usable fuel required for a flight includes:
(1) Taxy fuel;
(2) Trip fuel;
(3) Reserve fuel consisting of:
(i) Contingency fuel (see IEM
OPS 3.255(c)(3)(i));
(ii) Alternate fuel, if a destination

alternate is required

(iii) Final reserve fuel; and
(iv) Additional fuel, if required by
the type of operation (e.g. isolated
heliports); and
(4) Extra fuel if required by the

commander.

All this is good and well,
Taxi fuel easy,
trip fuel easy,

couple of questions!!!!!

1. Contingency 10% trip??????????
2. Alternate Fuel??????? is it just fuel for go-around at destination plus trip to alternate and approach?
3. Final Reserve fuel?????? 10mins, 15mins?
4. Is there a legal amount of fuel that must be held for holding? if so, how much should one allow for holding? 30mins?

Also if someone could provide a link to relevant regulations on the interweb would be great.

many questions, many thanks,

A.

Is there

[Curtis E Carr]

See AMC OPS 3.255

[paco]

Contingency is 5% of trip fuel for non-hostile environments, and 10% for hostile - but you can't do VFR in Perf 3 aircraft over hostile terrain, should you want to do that.

Alternate:

Missed approach from MDA/DH at the destination to missed approach altitude, through the whole procedure

Climb from missed approach altitude to cruise

Cruise from top of climb to top of descent

From top of descent to where the approach is initiated, through the expected arrival procedure

Approach and landing at the alternate

For helidecks in hostile environments, 10% of the above

The landing mass at the alternate should be Zero Fuel Mass + Final Reserve Fuel

Final reserve is:

For Day VFR navigating visually, 20 minutes at best range speed, or

For IFR or when VFR and navigating by other than visual means or at night (not allowed under performance Class 3), fuel for 30 minutes at holding speed at 1 500 ft (450 m) above the destination in standard conditions, calculated with the estimated mass on arrival above the alternate, or the destination, when no alternate is required

Unlike in the US, where as long as you start with their equivalent of final reserve, you can use it, under JAR OPS you can only use it after making a PAN call and declaring a fuel emergency. The intention is to land with it, but it's there for emergencies.

Don't think there is a min for holding - maybe that comes after Extra Fuel At Commander's Discretion

phil

[andreblor]

Many thanks paco and curtis.

A