[Scan-DC] Unknown Aircraft Situation

[Mary and Bob Jeter]

The bean counters may have decided to "tanker" fuel i.e. if it is much 
cheaper to buy, say at DCA, they will purchase extra fuel and "tanker' 
it to the next stop. Limiting factor here is DCA's short runway. Heavier 
airplane requires more asphalt. I can assure there was plenty on board 
to make next destination, fly to a designated alternate (if needed), and 
still have 45 min fuel reserve. Another factor to consider is maximum 
landing weight...airplanes don't dump fuel anymore, but in general max 
landing weight is reached soon after takeoff to permit an immediate 
return for landing if required.
All of this is planned out well in advance, every day, for every flight, 
every time.
Prior to takeoff the pilots will brief planned action if an immediate 
return is necessary.
I used to occasionally joke about going to Andrews AFB which would have 
been legal. Sometimes IAD weather (thunderstorm) precluded that as an a 
viable takeoff alternative and BWI or even PHL would have been better.

On 4/18/2015 1:21 PM, Dewey wrote:
> Actually checking my favorite for this year, FlightRadar 24, AAL874 is not even in the air (I checked that after seeing "estimated" at FlightAware).  I think FlightRadar24 is w-a-y more accurate than FlightAware, but FlightAware still has it strong points.
>
> Dewey
>
>
> I understand your point, but the next leg is already in the air.  That leg is close to 3 & 1/2 hours to South America, so it certainly wouldn't have been a no or low fuel turnaround.  I do hope that the pax were only delayed shortly and continued on their way to Charlotte, but FlightAware says otherwise or didn't capture that flight.
>
> Dewey
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scan-DC [mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bruce Harper
> Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2015 13:01
> To: Scan DC
> Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Unknown Aircraft Situation
>
> On Sat, Apr 18, 2015 at 12:45 PM, Dewey wrote:
>
> That's a lot of fuel
>> for a 45 minute to 1 hour flight.  I don't know how much circle time they
>> build in, but I ***think*** it is something like an hour, plus the ability
>> to get to three of the closest diversion airports.  As always, I reserve
>> the
>> right to be wrong.
>>
> ​Not saying you are wrong :-) but could it be a case of a quick turnaround
> for the aircraft out of Charlotte? Offload a handful of passengers and
> luggage, load the next group, and leave without taking time to put on a
> near-full fuel load? Perhaps another short flight or a return to D.C. Just
> speculating.
>
> Bruce in Blacksburg
>
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