FAA follow-up on a cht operator who requested to remain at cruise altitude for fuel conservation.

Attributes
ACN	126104
Time
Date	198910
Day	Tue
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : omn airport : orl
State Reference	FL
Altitude	msl bound lower : 22000 msl bound upper : 22000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zjx
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Light Transport, High Wing, 2 Turboprop Eng
Flight Phase	cruise other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : cfi pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 2400 flight time type : 165
ASRS Report	126104
Person 2
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : unable none taken : anomaly accepted
Consequence	faa : investigated
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation other

Narrative:

While en route to orlando from det, ZJX issued a STAR. We were approximately 75 NM north of the ormond beach VOR. The STAR (bitho 5) calls for crossing the ormond beach VOR at 12000'. (Due to some WX deviations, the trip was a maximum endurance.) I asked center if we could stay at FL220, to stay high and reduce fuel consumption. Center then asked if we had a fuel problem. I said negative, but if 12000' was mandatory, we would divert to daytona beach. Center advised us to standby. When center came back on frequency, she said FL220 was approved. We then continued on the STAR as published and received vectors to the final approach course. We did not receive priority handling nor declare an emergency. 2 days later ZJX contacted jax FSDO, and they contacted det FSDO. I do not understand why. I had 45 mins of fuel reserve at destination and I can prove it by the fuel receipt. I am angry that I may be penalized for being conservative. At 12000' the fuel burns are much higher than FL220, so I was prepared to divert to daytona beach.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: FAA FOLLOW-UP ON A CHT OPERATOR WHO REQUESTED TO REMAIN AT CRUISE ALT FOR FUEL CONSERVATION.

Narrative: WHILE ENRTE TO ORLANDO FROM DET, ZJX ISSUED A STAR. WE WERE APPROX 75 NM N OF THE ORMOND BEACH VOR. THE STAR (BITHO 5) CALLS FOR XING THE ORMOND BEACH VOR AT 12000'. (DUE TO SOME WX DEVIATIONS, THE TRIP WAS A MAX ENDURANCE.) I ASKED CENTER IF WE COULD STAY AT FL220, TO STAY HIGH AND REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION. CENTER THEN ASKED IF WE HAD A FUEL PROB. I SAID NEGATIVE, BUT IF 12000' WAS MANDATORY, WE WOULD DIVERT TO DAYTONA BEACH. CENTER ADVISED US TO STANDBY. WHEN CENTER CAME BACK ON FREQ, SHE SAID FL220 WAS APPROVED. WE THEN CONTINUED ON THE STAR AS PUBLISHED AND RECEIVED VECTORS TO THE FINAL APCH COURSE. WE DID NOT RECEIVE PRIORITY HANDLING NOR DECLARE AN EMER. 2 DAYS LATER ZJX CONTACTED JAX FSDO, AND THEY CONTACTED DET FSDO. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY. I HAD 45 MINS OF FUEL RESERVE AT DEST AND I CAN PROVE IT BY THE FUEL RECEIPT. I AM ANGRY THAT I MAY BE PENALIZED FOR BEING CONSERVATIVE. AT 12000' THE FUEL BURNS ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN FL220, SO I WAS PREPARED TO DIVERT TO DAYTONA BEACH.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of August 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.