How does the A320 manage fuel imbalance between tanks?

• A. Monitor left/right fuel quantities, use crossfeed if necessary to balance, ensuring no excess imbalance at critical phases of flight.
• B. Drain fuel to equalize.
• C. Ignore imbalance until landing.
• D. Only balance on ground.

Answer: (D)

Balancing fuel between the wings is done by transferring fuel through the crossfeed system. When one wing tank is heavier than the other, the crossfeed valve is opened (with the appropriate pumps on) so fuel can flow from the heavier wing to the lighter one. This keeps the left-right imbalance within safe limits and helps maintain symmetric engine feeding, especially during phases where fuel consumption can create a difference, such as climb, cruise, or descent. The aim is to manage balance in flight rather than waiting until landing, and the center tank is used to supply the engines as needed, not primarily to balance wing tanks.