Why does the FO drain the outer tanks after landing SOP 2?

[Hansaspeed 18]

For some reason, after landing whilst using SOP2, the FO almost always feels the need to press a button (Which one I have no clue. Guess I need to open that FCOM up one more time) to trigger the transfer of fuel from the 1 and 4 tanks to the 2 and 3 tanks. Why on Earth does this happen? I would rather NOT have my outer tanks drained, and my outboard engines made INOP.

[byork 2,258]

I'm not sure of the technical reason, but that's the way they do it at the airline we modeled in sop2.

 

[Chock 17,769]

It's probably to do with needing to run the APU for a while. I'm pretty sure the 747-400 APU uses fuel from the No 2 tank.

[Hansaspeed 18]

40 minutes ago, byork said:

I'm not sure of the technical reason, but that's the way they do it at the airline we modeled in sop2.

 

Doesn't this result in engines 1 and 4 failing from fuel starvation?

[Hansaspeed 18]

Can any 747 experts help?

[Iceman2 110]

As far as I know some airlines may wish to move the C of G forward for towing, loading and unloading of the aircraft. But most I think (including my airline) never transferred the fuel once parked and if they did the engineers moved the fuel around.

Freighters may need a more forward C of G for loading. (didn't fly freighter 74s)

 

IM

[Hansaspeed 18]

21 minutes ago, Iceman2 said:

As far as I know some airlines may wish to move the C of G forward for towing, loading and unloading of the aircraft. But most I think (including my airline) never transferred the fuel once parked and if they did the engineers moved the fuel around.

Freighters may need a more forward C of G for loading. (didn't fly freighter 74s)

 

IM

Ah that would make a lot of sense. If I am not mistaken, doesn't that starve the outboard engines of fuel?

[Iceman2 110]

37 minutes ago, Hansaspeed said:

Ah that would make a lot of sense. If I am not mistaken, doesn't that starve the outboard engines of fuel?

Fuel transfer is usually not done until engines are shut down at the gate.

However I have not heard of any company actually draining the fuel completely from the outer tanks. That can cause a few other issues.

Im assuming the SOPs that FS2Crew are using may transfer fuel after landing for C of G reasons but down to a minimum. Doubt if they would drain them completely. 

IM

[Hansaspeed 18]

59 minutes ago, Iceman2 said:

Fuel transfer is usually not done until engines are shut down at the gate.

However I have not heard of any company actually draining the fuel completely from the outer tanks. That can cause a few other issues.

Im assuming the SOPs that FS2Crew are using may transfer fuel after landing for C of G reasons but down to a minimum. Doubt if they would drain them completely. 

IM

I hope this is the case! I'll see whenever I have a long taxi. If the tanks are totally drained I am pretty sure this is a bug

[Iceman2 110]

1 hour ago, Hansaspeed said:

I hope this is the case! I'll see whenever I have a long taxi. If the tanks are totally drained I am pretty sure this is a bug

I see your point tho.

I haven’t noticed my FS2Crew FO doing that after landing, I’ll take a closer look. I only use the button version.

take care 

IM

[Hansaspeed 18]

12 hours ago, Iceman2 said:

I see your point tho.

I haven’t noticed my FS2Crew FO doing that after landing, I’ll take a closer look. I only use the button version.

take care 

IM

You to. I think this is a SOP2 only thing.

[Chock 17,769]

I think your FO may be either selling the fuel to supplement his FO wages, or he's distilling the alcohol from it. You wanna keep an eye on him. 

[Michael Moe 493]

Hi

 

I have a thread over at PMDG 

 

Michael Moe