AI.II.I.K5cFAA-S-ACS-25 · Nov 2023Knowledge
c. Fuel requirements, including reserve
Calculating: c. Fuel requirements, including reserve
Bottom line
The amount of fuel needed for a given flight can be calculated by multiplying the estimated flight time by the rate of consumption.
Key numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes after first point of intended landing (airplane, normal cruising speed) | VFR day |
| 45 minutes after first point of intended landing (airplane, normal cruising speed) | VFR night |
| 30 minutes after destination and alternate (normal cruising speed) | IFR helicopter |
| 20 minutes after first point of intended landing (normal cruising speed) | VFR rotorcraft |
FAA references
- PHAK ch. 16 (p. 16-12) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- 14 CFR 91.151 (Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
- 14 CFR 91.167 (Fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
- AIM 5-5-15 (Minimum Fuel Advisory) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- AIH ch. 1 (p. 1-20) — FAA-H-8083-9B
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