Fuel Management

Objective

• To allow the student to develop a fuel management plan

Elements

• Concept of fuel management to monitor fuel quantity and pressure
• Maintain redundancy

Equipment

• Balloon Flight Manual
• Diagram of fuel system showing all tanks, hoses, gauges, valves and burners
• In-flight maneuver

Instructor’s Actions

• Pre-flight discussion of fuel system tracing flow of fuel through system and importance of redundancy
• Selection of order of fuel tanks to be used
• Discussion of amount of fuel to remain before switching to new tank and the time interval to check fuel remaining
• Demonstrate pilot light adjustment if available
• Calculation of fuel consumption
• Method to reroute fuel if a malfunction occurs
• Discuss the fuel pressure changes when fuel remaining is 20% or less
• Demonstrate reduction in burner output and burner tone when tank is near empty
• Explain fuel requirements in approach to land checklist

Student’s Actions

• Trace out fuel system and explain all functions of components
• Explain how to maintain a redundant fuel system
• Develop a fuel management system and compare its logic with the instructor's
• Explain the relationship of burner power to temperature of fuel and quantity remaining in tank

Completion Standards

• Student will demonstrate frequent and timely monitoring of fuel usage and pressure. Has a consistent method of fuel management. Can explain operation of all fuel system components.