What is the maximum fuel imbalance that the pilot must handle manually?

In the context of fuel management for the aircraft, the maximum fuel imbalance that a pilot must address manually is indeed 267 lbs. This value indicates the threshold at which the aircraft's automated systems may not adequately compensate for fuel discrepancies between the left and right tanks. Exceeding this limit often requires the pilot to take corrective actions to ensure safe flight operations.

Understanding fuel imbalance is critical, particularly in multi-engine aircraft where an uneven distribution of fuel can lead to adverse aerodynamic effects, increased drag, and potential issues with aircraft stability and control. Pilots are trained to monitor fuel levels closely, and being aware of the specified manual handling limit helps ensure operational safety and adherence to regulations. The options that suggest different values are below or above this threshold and therefore do not represent the standard operational guidelines for managing fuel imbalance effectively.