Fuel Dumping

[flyerorange]

Often times with my FS2002 Pro, I have trouble getting the plane down and keeping it down for landing.  It occurred to me that when I am using a big jetliner for a short trip, I probably have close to full tank of fuel.  When I dump fuel before landing, it seems to help a lot.

My questions are......what percentage of fuel should be in the tank at landing?  And, do I need to always have a full tank on takeoff, for shorter trips?

I'd appreciate any advice.  Thanks.  

[born_2_fly]

Why not just start the flight with less in the tank? Anyway, how are you 'dumping' the fuel. Which Aircraft are you in?

BTW, to answer your question, you should probs have AT MOST about 5-10% left in your tanks, just incase of a Go-Around and taxi time. If you like real world weather, dont forget to have enough to reach you alternate!

Cheers,
Alex

[flyerorange]

When I get close to final approach (A-320 or 737), I go to the drop down menu, go to fuel, and adjust the fuel setting to 10%.  So I guess I'm leaving an appropriate amount in there for a go-around.

How do I determine how much fuel to start with?  I've always started with full, and then dump it.  Thanks for the help.  

[Airshow_lover]

[quote]When I get close to final approach (A-320 or 737), I go to the drop down menu, go to fuel, and adjust the fuel setting to 10%.

[flyerorange]

I will try the download, when I am at my computer at home, later.  Thanks, this will help a lot!  

[flyerorange]

I downloaded the fuel calculator, but didn't get it to work.  I didn't know how to import the aircraft.

I stored it in My Documents, in its own folder, as it didn't seem to matter having it in FS2002, as I couldn't get to it anyway.  So I'd like to try again.

Can you walk me through the setup, starting over with the download?  Thanks a lot!

[born_2_fly]

No offence, but why not just pack enough fuel for your trip? There is no point in taking off with 100% fuel if your in a 747 going LHR-AMS. Flightsim has a built in fuel calculator, so its not overly detailed, but if you make a IFR Flightplan it tells you what you will need, and even how much fuel will be burnt in between way points, even if you dont wont an IFR flightplan, use the utility, find how much fuel you need, and then dont use the Filed Flight plan, just use the amount that FS told you to.

[flyerorange]

That sounds great.  I guess I'm not understanding how to have it tell me how much I need.  When I do my IFR plan, and look at fuel, it's all at 100%.  Should I start at less than that if , let's say, I'm flying from Phoenix to Las Vegas?    It's a short trip on a jet.  

Perhaps, I'm not looking at it right, but do need the extra downloaded fuel calculator?  Thanks for the assistance.

[Airshow_lover]

Well, i will tell you i have never downloaded those calculators. I just fly to an area and either:

1) Do fly arounds till lose enough fuel
2) Go to aircraft options and just get rid of the fuel
3) start with just enough. (make one trip to a particular place with 100% fuel and when you get there see how much you have left. Subtract the from the 100% and you will know the exact amount of fuel you'll need for your next trip to that airport.)
4) enable unlimited fuel and just get rid of all fuel. That should work.

[born_2_fly]

Im talking about using the Fuel calculator inside FS, Basically, after you have made your flightplan, on the Flightplanner window, there should be an icon that says 'Navigational *****' or something, I cant remember exactly as I dont have FS infront of me. Anyway its the furthest one on the right I think....
It should tell you fuel needed, its pretty accurate, but I think the calculation it gives is as if you are flying at cruise level between the two points, just add some more fuel in.

Cheers,
Alex

[microlight]

...or if you already know the range of your plane (stated in the 'description' box most of the time), do a rough percentage calculation against your flight distance, add 20%-ish for go arounds etc and then put that much in each tank.