General Dynamics or Convair Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Glider; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 6000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Airspace Structure
During RTB (return to base); flight crew noted higher than anticipated fuel burn. Deviations due to developing weather forced the aircraft to fly well outside its intended flight path in order to remain safely airborne. Coupled with high winds (270/45) en route; the aircraft reached ZZZ at a state approaching minimum fuel. The flight crew realized the criticality of landing promptly and requested a descent en route. Due to operational provisions; the aircraft is required to maintain Class A airspace until entering restricted airspace where it may descend to join up with its chase aircraft and then RTB. The pilot determined that fuel would drop to a dangerous level and elected to descend below Class A; using the lower power setting in the transition to minimize fuel burn. Once in restricted airspace; the pilot delayed long enough to join with the assigned chase aircraft and then proceeded directly to land. The aircraft landed below minimum fuel level. During this rejoin period; a Center supervisor called and treated the pilot with open hostility while discussing the issue. He ignored the pilot's attempted explanation of his fuel constraints.
UAV operator reported having to exit restricted airspace early due to a low fuel state.