Need a little help with Fuel tank switching

[Guest A321]

Ok I was on a flight from KSEA to PANC, when the center tank went dry, the engines quit. Now am I supposed to Switch off the center tank fuel switches before the centre tanks run dry or should they just auto switch to the outer tanks. I started the flight with 65% percent in the outer tanks and 35% in the center tank. I let the center tanks run to 000 fuel, and then the engines quit. It was kind of scary, but i recoverd and I only lost 5000ft of alt whilst I got the engines back online, but speed went from .080 to .046 so i had a ahigh AOA,lots of spilt coffe for the pax :)Also is there a fuel planner available for this plane, or should I just, go with what FS2004 syas. By the the way this plane rocks, and i have not installed the second patch yet.Thanks in advanceJason

[Guest Ian_Riddell]

"Now am I supposed to Switch off the center tank fuel switches before the centre tanks run dry or should they just auto switch to the outer tanks."This probably depends on whether or not you have certain types of Center Wing Tank pumps, Jason. There was an Airworthiness Directive brought out for the 737 a while back which made it mandatory to leave 1000lbs in your CWT, to keep the pumps properly cooled (otherwise they may ignite fuel vapours in the tank). That is, switch off the pumps when the fuel reaches that level. This fuel can be used in dire emergencies however.If you're a whizz with math, you may be able to create a waypoint where you think the fuel in the CWT will reach that critical level.... as a reminder... or rather, slightly ahead at the 1500 to 2000lb mark. This may be easier, however, on other aircraft where you can create waypoints dependent on particular GMT's. I don't know if this is possible with the 737 Smiths FMC.BTW, we have been instructed not to switch a pump on and off repeatedly if we see a low pressure light on the overhead panel. Hope this helps.Cheers.Ian.