Katerina Swanson
The Airbus A320 is a popular aircraft for short-haul flights, with a fuel burn rate of around 5000-5800 lbs/hr. Knowing the exact amount of fuel on board is crucial for flight planning and safety. To check the fuel quantity on an A320, the fuel panel must be powered on to display the current fuel level. The fuel panel is identical to that of the Airbus A319 and A321. Once the fuel panel is powered, the crew can view the fuel data, which includes the total fuel on board, fuel used by the engines, and fuel flow rate. Additionally, the FUEL PRED page on the MCDU provides fuel prediction information and management data.
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What You'll Learn
The fuel panel
The A320 uses an automated transfer logic to ensure that fuel is used efficiently. The sequence typically follows this order:
- Center Tank Usage: Fuel from the center tank is used first to reduce weight at the aircraft’s centerline.
- Wing Tank Usage: Once the center tank fuel is depleted, fuel from the inner wing tanks is used.
- Outer Tank Transfer: The outer tanks transfer fuel into the inner wing tanks as needed.
- Balancing Fuel: Fuel in each tank is monitored to ensure an even distribution between the left and right sides of the aircraft.
The A320 is equipped with a Fuel Quantity Indication System (FQIS) that uses capacitance probes inside the tanks to accurately measure fuel volume. This information is continuously displayed for pilot monitoring. The FUEL panel also controls the transfer valve, which can be opened or closed depending on the selected mode.
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Fuel pumps
The Airbus A320 is equipped with a Fuel Quantity Indication System (FQIS) that provides pilots with real-time data on fuel status, pump operations, and warnings for fuel-related issues. The system uses capacitance probes inside the tanks to accurately measure fuel volume, which is displayed on the ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor) system.
The A320's fuel system includes both main and centre tanks, with each tank featuring dual fuel pumps (left and right) to ensure redundancy in the event of a pump failure. These electric fuel pumps pressurize the fuel and facilitate its movement through the system. The wing tanks each have two pumps, while the centre tank also has two. The pumps are normally displayed in green and turn amber when off. The total fuel flow value is also displayed in green and changes to amber when no valid data is available.
The A320 utilizes an automated transfer logic to ensure efficient fuel usage. Typically, fuel from the centre tank is used first to reduce weight at the aircraft's centreline. The crossfeed valve allows for the distribution of fuel between tanks, enabling pilots to manually or automatically balance the aircraft's weight and maintain stability.
In addition to the main and centre tanks, the A320 also features vent surge tanks located in the wings. These tanks play a crucial role in maintaining pressure within the fuel tanks, preventing structural stress and fuel vapour formation. They also help manage excess fuel during refueling or in-flight, preventing over-pressurization and safely routing any overflow.
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Fuel cut off
The fuel quantity for the Airbus A320 can be found on the FUEL page of the ECAM system. This page displays the total fuel on board (FOB) and the fuel flow, or the amount of fuel currently being used. The fuel pumps are represented by amber boxes, which turn green when they are on.
The A320 has fuel cutoff switches/engine master switches that cut off the fuel feed at the LP and HP locations. These are separate from the thrust levers, which some pilots feel is safer. However, there have been accidents where pilots have managed to overcome physical gates or blocks in the throttle quadrant, moving levers into positions they weren't supposed to be able to reach.
Airbus does not close the spar valve when the fuel switch is set to CUTOFF, only the engine fuel valve. This is different from Boeing, which closes both the engine valve and the spar valve. If there is a bad seal on the engine cutoff fuel valve, fuel can leak past the valve and into the combustion chamber, causing a tailpipe fire on the subsequent start.
Airbus recommends switching off all fuel pumps at the end of a flight and turning them back on during cockpit preparation. This is to prevent fuel spillage during refuelling.
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Fuel prediction
The FUEL PRED page on the MCDU displays fuel prediction information at the destination and alternate airports, as well as fuel management data after the engines are started. The flight crew can access this page by pressing the "FUEL PRED" key on the MCDU or by pressing the “→” key on the MCDU when on the INIT A page. Before departure, the FUEL PRED page displays the route reserve fuel and the corresponding percentage of trip fuel. The TIME is displayed before takeoff, and UTC predictions are displayed after takeoff. If the Estimated Takeoff Time (ETT) has been entered, the UTC is displayed.
The FMS (Flight Management System) provides a wealth of useful information, including fuel prediction information. However, it is important to note that under circumstances of Abnormal Aircraft Configuration, the fuel predictions may no longer be accurate. For example, the FMS assumes the \"normal\" configuration for the landing gear, which is UP from shortly after takeoff until about five miles from touchdown. If the landing gear malfunctions and remains down, the fuel predictions will be based on the assumption that the "normal" gear profile has been followed, leading to inaccurate predictions.
The FMS continuously updates the Gross Weight (GW) and Center of Gravity (CG) during the flight. The FOB (Fuel On Board) value can be modified in flight, and the fuel quantity sensors can be modified by entering “/FF”, “/FQ” or “/FF+FQ”. The FUEL page of the ECAM system displays the amount of fuel in each section of the wing, with the amber boxes showing the fuel pumps, which turn green when on. The bottom bar displays the total fuel flow, with the left engine labelled as 1, the right engine as 2, and the total fuel used as 1+2.
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Fuel burn
The fuel burn of an aircraft refers to the rate at which it consumes fuel. Fuel burn can be affected by various factors such as the weight of the aircraft, the segment of the flight, and the altitude.
For the A320, fuel burn rates can vary depending on the specific model and engine type. According to some sources, the CFM56-powered A320 has a fuel consumption rate of around 2400-2600 kg per hour. More specifically, the A320 CEO has a fuel burn rate of approximately 2537-2625 kg/hr, while the A320neo has a lower fuel burn rate of about 2005-2063 kg/hr. These numbers may vary depending on cruise altitude and other factors.
On the FUEL page of the ECAM system, pilots can monitor the fuel status of the A320. The wing is visually divided into sections that represent the different fuel tanks, with numbers indicating the amount of fuel in each section. The amber boxes indicate fuel pumps, which turn green when they are on. The bottom bar of the display shows the total fuel flow, indicating how much fuel is being used, as well as the total fuel on board (FOB).
To optimize fuel consumption, pilots can adjust the thrust of the aircraft. Thrust adjustments can be made by changing the thrust factor or by modifying the throttle lever course to decrease thrust at the beginning and increase it at the end. However, it's important to note that incorrect adjustments to fuel consumption values can lead to inaccurate readings at sea level or high altitudes.
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Frequently asked questions
To check the fuel in your A320, you must first turn on the power to the fuel panel. Once the panel is on, you can see the amount of fuel on board.
Locate the battery power switch and switch it to the "ON" position.
Fuel burn depends on payload and altitude. Generally, an A320 burns between 5000-5800 lbs/hr and around 900 gallons per hour in dispatch.
The fuel quantity can be found in the small wing tank, displayed in kg.
Press the "→" key on the MCDU when on the INIT A page or press the FUEL PRED key on the MCDU.
