Pilots Using More 'Fuel Fudge-Factor' To Protect Passengers/Crew

The increased price of oil has some airlines looking at grounding some of its fleet if fuel prices continue to climb. An investigation by WABC-NY found that some airlines might be trying to cut costs by lightening the load and flying with less fuel. But pilots say its delays that may be using their fuel.

According to the report that offers a recorded conversation between a commercial airline pilot and air traffic controllers offered a look at what some might see as a cost savings measure.

Pilot: "We are minimum fuel, sir."

Air traffic controller: "You're declaring an emergency at this time. The time is now 22:57. I need the souls on board and fuel in pounds when you arrive."

Pilot: "Copy that. One hundred fifty-seven souls on board. We have exactly 38 minutes of fuel remaining."

Controllers gave the plane priority landing and it safely touched down with just minutes of fuel remaining, according to the WABC report.

An examination of the airports landings showed several similar situations.

At Newark Liberty International Airport, just five flights landed under minimum or low-fuel conditions over a six-month period in 2005. In a similar period this year, 73 flights came into the same airport with minimum fuel.

The report also said 10 flights had to declare the more serious emergency fuel situation, of less than 30-minutes fuel reserve.

Ray Adams, an Air traffic controller says in the last two years he's noticed an astounding increase in the number of flights coming into Newark under minimum or emergency fuel conditions.

"When aircraft come into our airport at Newark with a minimum fuel state, they become a priority for us and it's an extra focus of attention on that aircraft, which increases the complexity of your already complex operation," Adams said.

Federal Aviation Administration requires airlines to carry additional fuel in case of unexpected delays or weather.

Some airlines are putting pressure on them to cut back on this fuel safety cushion to save money, according to the report.

Airline pilot Bruce Meyer, who retired last year, said he was called out by an airline for carrying too much fuel.

"I was specifically called in and asked why I was adding fuel as many times as I had been adding, which I had to explain the reasons, which were air traffic control delays that I knew about every morning," Meyer said.

Using preventative measures, Meyer said that he added more fuel to compensate for delays at airports.

"I had to use different ruses to make the paperwork or hide the fact that I was putting fuel on board, but my responsibility as captain is to my passengers, my aircraft, and my crew and to the safety of that flight," Meyer said.

FAA officials refused interviews on this topic saying only that they record emergency landings, not minimum fuel reports. WABC countered that its investigation, and the data used for the story was from FAA documents.

FMI: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/