How should you handle a fuel quantity discrepancy in weight and balance planning?

• A. Ignore minor discrepancies and proceed with the plan.
• B. Recalculate weight and balance, adjust the plan, inform dispatch of changes.
• C. Return to base to re-fuel.
• D. Recalculate weight and balance, adjust the plan, inform dispatch of changes, and ensure remaining fuel meets minima.

Answer: (D)

Fuel quantity discrepancies change both the aircraft’s weight and its balance, so you can’t ignore them. The right move is to recalculate weight and balance using the corrected fuel figure, adjust the flight plan to reflect the new weight, CG, and burn, and then inform dispatch of the changes so the release and fueling records stay accurate. The most critical part is confirming that the remaining fuel still meets all minimum requirements for the trip—trip fuel plus any required reserves and any alternate fuel if applicable. If the revised numbers mean you can’t meet those minima, you’d need to re-fuel or otherwise alter the plan before continuing.