Flight Planning, Dispatch Release, and Performance
The Release
Section 121.687 lists what the release must contain: aircraft identification, trip number, departure/intermediate/destination/alternate airports, type of operation (IFR or VFR), minimum fuel supply, and a statement of current weather (or that no unfavorable weather exists), signed by the dispatcher and the PIC. A release without these elements is defective.
Fuel and Alternates
For turbine aircraft the planned fuel must cover: taxi, trip, alternate (when required), and a 45-minute reserve at normal cruise (Part 121 domestic/flag turbine rules). Add contingency per company policy and account for forecast winds and any tankering. An alternate is normally required under the "1-2-3 rule": within one hour before to one hour after the ETA, if the ceiling is forecast below 2,000 feet or visibility below 3 statute miles, a designated alternate must be listed and is itself dispatched with usable weather.
Performance
Know the takeoff decision points: V1 (decision speed), VR, V2; balanced field length ties accelerate-stop to accelerate-go distance, and clearways/stopways affect TODA and ASDA, not the physical runway. For turbojets at the destination, the required landing distance must fit within 60 percent of the effective runway length; contaminated or wet runways increase the requirement. Weight limits (MTOW, MLW, MZFW) and CG position all interact with temperature, pressure altitude and slope.
Traps
- Reserve is at the destination after the alternate - not "total fuel."
- Density altitude raises takeoff distance even at sea level on a hot day.
- A forward CG increases takeoff distance and stall speed.
Worked Example
Trip 2:00, alternate 0:35, reserve 0:45 = 3:20 of flight fuel; add taxi 0:15 and 5% contingency (~0:10) for a minimum block fuel near 3:45.