How should you respond to a fuel imbalance beyond permissible limits?

• A. Do nothing and continue cruising.
• B. Initiate fuel transfer only after landing.
• C. Use crossfeed or transfer to balance; verify CG within limits.
• D. Imbalance has no effect on CG.

Answer: (C)

Balancing the aircraft’s weight distribution by equalizing fuel is essential when the fuel imbalance exceeds the allowed limit. When that happens, you should use crossfeed or transfer fuel between tanks to bring the imbalance back toward zero and keep the center of gravity within its approved range. After transferring, re-check the fuel quantities and the CG to ensure you’re still within limits for cruise, climb, and descent.

Avoid delaying action or ignoring the imbalance. Doing nothing can shift the CG outside safe limits and affect controllability and handling. Saying the imbalance doesn’t affect the CG is incorrect, since fuel distribution directly moves the CG. Waiting until after landing defeats the purpose of maintaining safe handling during flight.