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An aircraft flying with a fuel tank half full is not in
breach of aviation regulations, as long as it carries the minimum
amount to ensure safety, an official said.
In response to safety concerns over aircrafts carrying less fuel (due
to soaring oil prices), the Transportation Ministry assured Tuesday
such practice was safe and in line with local and international
standards.
Faber B. Sitorus, chief of personnel licensing, said the efficiency
measure could be carried out within limits set by the ministry's Civil
Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR).
The relevant article stipulates aircrafts must have enough fuel for: a
trip to the destination, to land at the most distant alternate airport,
to fly for 45 minutes at holding speed at 1,500 feet above the
alternate airport and to fly for 30 minutes plus 15 percent of the
total flight time at normal cruising speed to the destination's airport.
"The CASR is in compliance with the International Civil Aviation
Organization," Faber said.
Faber said the ministry conducted "ramp checks", a regular procedure to
increase safety on each flight.
An inspector for the air transportation operation, Sigit Hani
Hadiyanto, explained airlines were required to report their carriers'
fuel levels before operating and the ministry sent its inspectors to
check whether the fuel regulation met the minimum requirement.
"We require charter flights to report their fuel levels before each
departure, while for fixed-schedule flights, they only need to report
it once before we give them a license to fly," said Sigit.
Yurlis Hasibuan, responsible for airworthiness certification, confirmed
it was not necessary for aircrafts to fill their fuel tanks to full
capacity.
"The amount of fuel needed really depends on the destination, wind,
weather conditions, type of aircraft and its capacity for emergency
landing, which differs from one aircraft to another," Yurlis said.
He said the directorate would not compromise when it came to safety and
airline companies complied with minimum standards the department
determined for each aircraft type.
"We have never found any airline company in violation of the minimum
fuel standard, including low-cost carriers. I think most of them
understand safety is crucial in the air transportation industry,"
Yurlis said.
According to Yurlis, airlines are more likely to increase prices or cut
unnecessary services, like meals on short flights, rather than take
risks like violating minimum safety standards.
"If we find any airline company violating this safety regulation, we
will issue it a warning. If the company insists on breaking this
regulation, it's possible we will force it to discontinue operation,"
he said.
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