Gentlemen, Well, I finally got from KRIC-KCLT and screwed up the VFR landing! I did have a fuel imbalance that I missed; is this normal? I think it became apparent after loading a saved fligh at FL160. The manual is a bit vague on Xfeed but I gather the pumps are on and the xfeed valve open or is only the pump on that will feed the engines until they are in balance?Thanks in advance.Jack Sciuttiformer 52 driver( now that sucker had some xfeed valves!)

Gentlemen, Well, I finally got from KRIC-KCLT and screwed up the VFR landing! I did have a fuel imbalance that I missed; is this normal? I think it became apparent after loading a saved fligh at FL160. The manual is a bit vague on Xfeed but I gather the pumps are on and the xfeed valve open or is only the pump on that will feed the engines until they are in balance?Thanks in advance.Jack Sciuttiformer 52 driver( now that sucker had some xfeed valves!)

If the x-feed valve was open for the entire flight, you shouldn't have had a significant imbalance. What was the difference?

George, Many thanks for the rapid reply, especially form one who has really wrung this one out. WHOOPS! xfeed not open for flt! Should the light come on after pushing the switch and do the standby pumps have to be on? Jack Sciutti

Please see the AOM Ch 8.7 Fuel System. Cross feed is to feed both engines from one tank or one engine from both tanks. The STBY PUMP is required for cross feed operation. A normal variance of a dozen pounds or so between tanks is not abnormal. Cross flow is an abnormal operation for engine failures or fuel system problems.

To add to what Dan says, also in the AOM, Limitations chapter, maximum fuel imbalance for takeoff and landing is 200 pounds. If you're starting engines within a minute or two of each other and balancing the power settings through all phases of your flight, you shouldn't come anywhere close to a 200 pound imbalance.