Diverting from SCIP?

Question

As I can see, the closest airport from Easter Island SCIP is about 5 hours away. How are flights planned to there, and what happens if one has to divert? Do all planes carry 5 hours of extra fuel + reserves?

Answer 1

If the weather's good no alternate is requred. And it's not 30 minutes of reserve fuel if it's daytime it's 30 minutes for vfr day or night. Otherwise 45 minutes.

Answer 2

Well.. depends on where you are from.

The FAA says you have to have 30 minutes of fuel in reserve. (If daytime)

The FAA also says you have to plan out your flight, including alternate airports.

If your flight plan includes an alternate airport, prudent planning would dictate that you bring enough fuel to make it to your destination, and the alternate airport, with 30 minutes fuel remaining.  (45 minutes if at night)

I would say yes.. a good pilot will carry enough fuel to make his destination, and his alternate airport, with enough fuel in reserve to satisfy the requirement.

At least, I would.

Answer 3

Gergely, you have posed an interesting question. Easter Island is one of the most isolated places on earth. Lan-Chile Airlines does fly there, between Papeete and Santiago. If the B-737-300 cannot land at Easter Island, it just goes on to the next stop, and always carries the fuel to do just that. The B767 is built for long range flight, and can carry the extra fuel with no problem. It can fly almost 6000 miles.

All planes do not need to carry 5 extra hours of fuel, and do not do so, as it is not fuel-efficient. For example, a flight from Santiago to Buenos Aires would have several airports close to Buenos Aires to use in case of weather,or what ever, and would only carry an extra hour or so of fuel. In planning the flights, the flight's Captain and the airline's dispatcher usually work up their own sets of figures, and the aircraft is fueled with the larger quantity.

I hope that this answers your question satisfactorily. For more info on the B-767 go to Boeing's website.