What is the demonstrated fuel imbalance allowed in emergencies?

What is the demonstrated fuel imbalance allowed in emergencies?

• A. 500
• B. 2000
• C. 1000
• D. 2500

Answer: (B)

Fuel balance between the left and right tanks is about controllability; when one side becomes heavier, it can cause a yaw tendency that the airplane must still be able to manage. The term demonstrated fuel imbalance refers to the maximum imbalance the aircraft has been proven to handle during certification in an emergency scenario. For this aircraft, that demonstrated limit is 2,000 pounds. In an emergency—such as a pump or crossfeed failure—you may operate with up to that imbalance while routing to a safe landing. This higher figure is a certification allowance to ensure the airplane remains controllable under degraded fuel conditions, not a target for normal operations. If possible, rebalance when feasible and land at the nearest suitable airport, but the 2,000-pound value defines the safety margin established during testing.

Fuel balance between the left and right tanks is about controllability; when one side becomes heavier, it can cause a yaw tendency that the airplane must still be able to manage. The term demonstrated fuel imbalance refers to the maximum imbalance the aircraft has been proven to handle during certification in an emergency scenario. For this aircraft, that demonstrated limit is 2,000 pounds. In an emergency—such as a pump or crossfeed failure—you may operate with up to that imbalance while routing to a safe landing. This higher figure is a certification allowance to ensure the airplane remains controllable under degraded fuel conditions, not a target for normal operations. If possible, rebalance when feasible and land at the nearest suitable airport, but the 2,000-pound value defines the safety margin established during testing.