What is the legal minimum fuel limit that all aircraft must follow? Why?

Answer 1

As the others have stated, it depends on the type of aircraft and type of operation. Here is what the Federal Aviation Regulations have to say(in part):
note-VFR=Visual Flight Rules: when you have good visibility and can navigate by reference to the ground. IFR=Instrument Flight Rules: generally when you are navigating by reference to the instruments in the aircraft.

§ 91.151 Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions.
(a) No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed—

(1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or

(2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.

(b) No person may begin a flight in a rotorcraft under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 20 minutes.

§ 91.167 Fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions.
(a) No person may operate a civil aircraft in IFR conditions unless it carries enough fuel (considering weather reports and forecasts and weather conditions) to—

(1) Complete the flight to the first airport of intended landing;

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, fly from that airport to the alternate airport; and

(3) Fly after that for 45 minutes at normal cruising speed or, for helicopters, fly after that for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed.

The WHY of it is simply for safty. If you had only enough fuel to get where you planned on going you wouldn't have any extra in case something happens. Maybe you have to divert to another airport for some reason or maybe the wind is slowing you down.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the legal minimum fuel limit that all aircraft must follow? Why?

Answer 3

Depends on the aircraft and type. Minimum fuel (Texaco) is called when just enough fuel remains on board which will safely see the aircraft to its intended destination. Fuel minima is a critical factor of the flight planning stage and normally it is ensured that the aircraft, while approaching the airfield of its destination has enough fuel remaining to execute a missed approach in case a straight in landing is not possible.

Answer 4

minimum enroute so-called "BINGO" is ferry fuel to the destination, divert fuel to the divert base plus 30 minutes of flight contingency fuel.
when flying a navigation trip, we calculate the fuel enroute plus fuel to the diversion plus 30 minutes contingecy. plus the margins for starup, taxi etc etc.
generally this depends from the operators rules of operation, the above mentioned is a typical for my operator.
We should have at least 20 minutes fuel after the shutdown, otherwise this is considered an Incident.

Answer 5

(91)Civilian- Day VFR (enough to fly to where you are going ...then for 30 min. at normal cruise speed after that)

Night VFR- (enough from A to B plus 45 min)

IFR- (enough to get you there and shoot your approach and then go 45 min to your alternate)


Other rules may vary ( for example when I flew the Lear 25 for the charter company. We had to have enough to go from A to B..shoot an approach...go missed and then fly for 1 hour under normal cruising conditions in still air to an alternate)

Those are your basics..from an instructor to a private student...

Jonathan S
ATP-LRJET
Flight/Ground Instructor

Answer 6

US FAR Part 91.151 refers only to how much fuel is required at the beginning of a flight. In VFR there is no minimum fuel requirement for enroute or landing.

Answer 7

Its ruled by where the flight is going and what the weight of the type of air craft it is , and cargo that's people included , always by rule and thumb enough to keep them in the air, so they don't run out, aircraft don't get Miles per gallon they burn pounds per hour, all jets,The military will always tell you that's classified , next time you are at a air show if ever ,and walk up to the stealth, that's will be the plane with armed guards at the perimeter, ask them how many pounds per hour does this aircraft burn ! 1st thing they will say is, that is classified and please step away from the aircraft, I ve done this many time, even go with a UN lit smoke in your mouth and they will stop you its a blast(not recommended to do this since aviation fuel is Highly explosive even if the smoke is not lit, really they don't want anyone take a photo of you talking to the expert with a smoke in your mouth even if its not lit is a bad repor )

Answer 8

I once read in my MS-Flight Simulator documentation (under "Help" menu) that there's an aviation rule which says pilots should have nothing less than 30min of flying fuel left in their tanks after a day-time arrival. And Nothing less than 45min if its after a night-time arrival.

Answer 9

CFR 91.151 nails it. Note: To uninformed people, jet fuel is not pink, but clear as water.

Answer 10

Well, I've been out of flying for many years, but VFR to your dest. plus 20 minutes and IFR to dest. then alt. plus 45 minutes