Hi All,With so many variables after a flight, it makes my dispatch sheet sometimes worth a second look. Ive used the PMDG fuel loader and a few other Dispatch Sheet programes. Which do you recommend? I also am attaching a recent dispatch sheet for repies on accuracy ( before the flight too place ). Also how do I ensure ( 737-800 ) the fuel is drained from the center tank first and then switches to the wing tanks when appropriate.All good advice welcome,Berne :(

Also how do I ensure ( 737-800 ) the fuel is drained from the center tank first and then switches to the wing tanks when appropriate.

Per the forum rules you need to sign your full name. If not your post may be deleted. The airline profiles I have seen drain from the center first then the wings.

I always fuel the center tank with less than the enroute fuel usage. When it runs out the wing pumps will take effect on their own plus you'll get a warning in the annunciator to turn the center pumps off.Real world they used to leave a small amount of fuel in the center tank but a couple of fuel vapor ignites under various circumstances resulted in an inert gas injection system.http://www.b737.org.uk/fuel.htm#Centre_Fuel_Tank_Inerting

Hi All,With so many variables after a flight, it makes my dispatch sheet sometimes worth a second look. Ive used the PMDG fuel loader and a few other Dispatch Sheet programes. Which do you recommend? I also am attaching a recent dispatch sheet for repies on accuracy ( before the flight too place ). Also how do I ensure ( 737-800 ) the fuel is drained from the center tank first and then switches to the wing tanks when appropriate.All good advice welcome,Bernard Flannery :(

Hi....thanks for the super links and advice on this one...affirm re the name posting...so how about the dispatch sheet, or is it too _ _ sky?Bernard Flannery

When fuelling the 737, the wings should be filled first. Once full, you can then put the remaining required fuel into the centre tank. With all pumps active, the PMDG will always drain the centre tank first. Once empty the fuel warning light comes on, which is your cue to switch off the centre tank's left and right pumps. Fuel will then be drawn from the wings. You can confirm this by checking the fuel levels in the 3 tanks as the engines run. If there is centre tank fuel, it will draw prior to the wings...Why is this? Simple, it minimizes the wing loading.Thanks for the inerting link... I remember the one big accident off the US Coast involving a 747... At the time, there was speculation that it had been shot down by some missile... turned out to be a high voltage line with worn insulationi sparking onto the low voltage line of the fuel tank indicator, which ignited warmed fuel vapour in a central tank. The tank had been pretty much empty with just residues in the bottom, but the air conditioning units below had been on a long time on the ground and had warmed up what little fuel there was in there. The spark ignited the vapours, which caused a catastrophic explosion...Andrew

Some airlines run the center tanks dry. Some don't. My current airline doesn't let us run the center tanks past 1000 pounds and they always have =>500 pounds planned in the tanks per Airworthiness Directive.The center tanks have a higher output pressure than the main tanks, so they'll drain first.Also, if the center tank contains more than 1000 pounds, the main tanks must be full.

Hi People,Good to have this ref....another related issue....on departure recently my left wing tank was the only one draining with an ' imbalance ' notice, I tried tweaking the pump switches but unable to solve? Im suspecting that it could have been caused due to my tweaking of the fuel loader to get the correct dispatch sheet fuel quantity?Berne

Crossfeed valve closed?

Crossfeed valve closed?

See the 04 Limitations section of the documentation: - Specifications and Limitations 4-505 Normal Procedures section- Cockpit Prep: 5-5- Climb and Cruise: 5-1106 Abnormal Procedures section- Engine fire, Severe Damage or Separation: 6-1607 Systems Operation section- Cockpit and Systems 7-80To summarize the valve is used, when needed, to ensure the fuel is in balance.

See the 04 Limitations section of the documentation: - Specifications and Limitations 4-505 Normal Procedures section- Cockpit Prep: 5-5- Climb and Cruise: 5-1106 Abnormal Procedures section- Engine fire, Severe Damage or Separation: 6-1607 Systems Operation section- Cockpit and Systems 7-80To summarize the valve is used, when needed, to ensure the fuel is in balance.

:( Que?