An Observation
Posted: 13 Apr 2012, 07:58
Just done the BAC One Eleven 500 VA routes Gatwick-Rhodes, returning to Luton.
THESE ARE NOT ONE ELEVEN ROUTES!!,
I knew it before I set off, but I thought "Hey, let's see what happens"
First of all, required fuel load is 12.5 tonnes, which is nearly a tonne and a half over full tanks, and due to the payload, you can't get full tanks on anyway, you're limited to about 10.5 tonnes.
Outbound, decided to see how far I could get. Decided to techstop when overhead Kavala, made a poor choice and scraped into Mikonos with less than 900kg left. This is less than Final Reserve Fuel under RW Fuel Planning Procedures (FRF should be 30 mins so should be about 1200kg). This would mean a Company Air Safety Report, a CAA Mandatory Occurence Report, a finding on the next company audit by the CAA and Tea and Biscuits with the Chief Pilot with no Biscuits!
Harking back to my days in BIA Ops(1980s), Mikonos was not even on the plot for the One Eleven, let alone Rhodes. We went as far as Athens and that was a 50% chance of techstop on the return leg (due temp at Athens and prevailing winds). Mikonos was the province of such as Britannia's 737-200s.
On the return, made the decision earlier and went into Friedrichshafen with no probs.
Could I suggest that if Rhodes is to stay on the schedule for the One Eleven, that a techstop is built into the schedule!
N