VFR Charter Fuel and Alternate Decision
A CPL holder is pilot-in-command of a single-pilot Cessna 208B Caravan on a VFR charter from Sapporo Okadama to Hakodate with three passengers. Departure is 14:20 JST; planned flight time is 1 h 10 min; sunset is 16:45. Usable fuel at start is 150 US gal; taxi and run-up burn 4 gal; cruise fuel flow is 55 US gal/h. The destination TAF reads: TEMPO 1400/1600 4000 m light rain, BKN008; the alternate, 25 min away, is forecast SCT020. While airborne, ATC issues a 15 min hold and then a reroute that adds 12 min. The pilot has no weather radar and the destination is in controlled airspace where VFR minima apply. Company policy requires 30 min VFR reserve and an alternate when destination weather is marginal. The pilot must decide whether to continue, divert now, or hold.
1. Using the fuel figures, calculate the fuel remaining at destination if the flight continues after the hold and reroute. Does the flight still meet the 30 min VFR reserve? Show your working.
Read the worked answer
Planned cruise fuel: 1.1 h x 55 gal/h = 60.5 gal. Taxi/run-up: 4 gal. Hold: 0.25 h x 55 = 13.75 gal. Reroute: 0.20 h x 55 = 11.0 gal. Total burn = 60.5 + 4 + 13.75 + 11.0 = 89.25 gal. Fuel at destination = 150 - 89.25 = 60.75 gal. The 30 min VFR reserve at 55 gal/h is 27.5 gal. The surplus above reserve is 60.75 - 27.5 = 33.25 gal. Even if the 25 min alternate is then flown, that would use about 22.9 gal, leaving about 37.8 gal, still above the 27.5 gal reserve. Fuel alone therefore does not force a diversion, but the margin is reduced and must be monitored.
2. What does the TEMPO BKN008 and 4000 m visibility mean for a VFR arrival at Hakodate, and what alternate planning action is required before commencing an approach?
Read the worked answer
BKN008 means a broken cloud layer at 800 ft, and 4000 m visibility is below the normal VFR minima in controlled airspace. TEMPO means the condition is temporary but forecast, so it cannot be ignored for planning. A VFR arrival requires the ceiling and visibility to permit flight under VFR; with a ceiling below 1000 ft and reduced visibility, a VFR descent and approach cannot be planned. The pilot should obtain current ATIS or tower weather, but must be prepared to divert to the alternate if the destination is not VFR on arrival. Special VFR should not be assumed available. The alternate must have weather that allows a VFR arrival and must be within the fuel plan, including the 30 min reserve.
3. State the decision you would make as PIC and the key communications and monitoring actions.
Read the worked answer
The safer decision is to divert now to the alternate rather than continue and hope the TEMPO clears. The destination forecast is marginal to below VFR, and the pilot has no weather radar and already has reduced fuel margin. Continuing would create pressure to scud-run or accept an illegal VFR approach. The pilot should advise ATC of the diversion, request the appropriate clearance or flight following, and state the reason briefly. If the situation becomes urgent, use PAN-PAN; declare MAYDAY only if safety is threatened. Monitor fuel against the new ETA, confirm alternate weather, and avoid unnecessary configuration or low-level manoeuvring. Holding is not attractive because it burns fuel without improving the destination forecast.