FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Flight Planning and PerformanceMedium
An aircraft is planned to hold for 45 minutes at a fuel flow of 6,000 pounds per hour. How much fuel should be planned for the holding requirement?
- A2,700 pounds
- B5,400 pounds
- C4,500 pounds
- D3,600 pounds
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 4,500 pounds
Holding fuel = fuel flow × time. 6,000 lb/hr × (45/60 hr) = 6,000 × 0.75 = 4,500 pounds.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This would correspond to only 27 minutes of holding, not 45.
- B. This corresponds to 54 minutes of holding, not 45.
- D. This corresponds to 36 minutes of holding, not 45.
Holding Fuel Calculation
Fuel required for holding equals fuel flow rate multiplied by the planned holding time expressed in hours.
- Formula: Fuel = Fuel Flow × Time (hrs)
- Convert minutes to a decimal fraction of an hour
- Holding fuel is planned in addition to trip, reserve, and alternate fuel
Memory trick: Fuel flow × time = fuel burned — simple multiplication, just watch your units.