A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 10968; Flight Crew Type 1513
Troubleshooting; Workload; Confusion; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Procedure; Aircraft
Our aircraft was fueled prior to the aircraft being powered by Battery or GPU. After powering up the aircraft and when verifying the fuel load it was noted that all the outer tank fuel had transferred to the inner wing tanks and the wing tank transfer valves had closed properly. This is the incorrect sequence for fueling and due to all the fuel in the inner wing tank; Load Plan (LP) was notified. Load plan issued new CG setting based on the valves being open which we corrected to show valves closed but outer tanks empty and a second LP calculation was sent. The third LP calculation sent had an incorrect passenger count; so a 4th correction was sent and confirmed to be correct. We departed with a delay.
We arrived at the jet in the morning to find no power on the aircraft but fueling had already taken place. All fuel was in the inner tanks (12000 lbs/side); no fuel in the outer tanks; the transfer valves were closed. The Flight Manual (FM) indicates that fueling on battery power only may result in fueling with transfer valves in the open position; however they close when normal power is established. At this point we were debating if we could depart with no fuel in the outer wing tanks. The FM only addresses an imbalance in the outer wing tanks not both empty. However; a section indicates if the fuel transfer valves are open then Load Planning needs to know. We determined that there were no restrictions advised dispatch and load planning. Load planning first sent weight for operating with transfer valves open; then resent weights with transfer valves closed. Each had a different CG. It seems to me that it is not the position of the valve but the quantity of fuel in the outer wing tank that should be the determining factor. Also; after engine start the outer wing tanks began filling and they were both full within approximately 1 hour after takeoff.
A319 flight crew reported a fuel distribution irregularity due to improper fueling procedures. After determining that center of gravity limits were satisfied; the aircraft was dispatched.