45 minute reserve fuel

[gopherflight]

Can you or can you not fly into your 45 minute reserves?
I'm not talking intentionally, but let's say you planned a trip and were expected to land with 1 hour's worth of fuel left. But due to unexepected holding/delays, etc, you land with say, 39 minutes of fuel remaining. Are you in violation of FARs? Speaking from a 121 standpoint.

 

[avbug]

Reserves are for planning purposes. Sometimes things happen which don't go according to plan. That's why you have reserves.

 

[atldc9]

I have to agree. There is no violation if you fly into FAR reserve fuel. It is there to use as a cushion in case things go wrong.

On another note, check your company's requirements for reporting. Both of the 121 carriers I have flown for have required a written reoprt to the chief pilot if you fly into FAR reserve fuel.

 

[Rick1128]

trip reports

Speaking of trip reports, I keep telling my guys that I suggest that they send in a trip report anytime a flight does not go 100% according to plan. This accomplishes 2 things. First it keeps the company informed as to where the problem areas are. And second, it covers your A$$.

 

[regionalcap]

I would also declare "Min Fuel" with ATC.

 

[Tex-Ex]

The only way you can legally go into your reserve is if you can prove that you planned properly. You can't just land with a thimble full of full and think you're ok.

A side note... IFR reserves are only needed if the flight goes into IFR conditions. You can file IFR and if the flight will keep you in VMC you only need to have PLANNED for a 30 minute reserve.

Tex

 

[pilotyip]

I don't think so

Tex-ex, I don't think so, I do not have my regs right here so I can not quote a reg, but I think it goes this way. If you file IFR you must have a 45 minutes reserve. Does not mater if is IMC or VMC. BTW who is going to know you land with 39 minutes of fuel, and even if they dipped your tanks, how much was bunred in taxi?
The important thing is you have to keep an accurate fuel log and match your performance against your planned fuel burn so you will know how much fuel you will have arrive at the airport.

 

[atldc9]

Tex, I assume you are referring to FAR 91 op's, and the reg 91.167 refers to "IFR Conditions". I am no attorney, but I would think if they meant actual instrument conditions, the reg would have used "IMC", not IFR.

§ 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.

(b) Paragraph (a)(2) of this section does not apply if:

(1) Part 97 of this chapter prescribes a standard instrument approach procedure to, or a special instrument approach procedure has been issued by the Administrator to the operator for, the first airport of intended landing; and

(2) Appropriate weather reports or weather forecasts, or a combination of them, indicate the following:

(i) For aircraft other than helicopters. For at least 1 hour before and for 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival, the ceiling will be at least 2,000 feet above the airport elevation and the visibility will be at least 3 statute miles.

(ii) For helicopters. At the estimated time of arrival and for 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival, the ceiling will be at least 1,000 feet above the airport elevation, or at least 400 feet above the lowest applicable approach minima, whichever is higher, and the visibility will be at least 2 statute miles.

[Doc. No. 98-4390, 65 FR 3546, Jan. 21, 2000]


FAR 121.639 applies to 121 domestic op's.

121.639 Fuel supply: All domestic operations.

No person may dispatch or take off an airplane unless it has enough fuel --

(a) To fly to the airport to which it is dispatched;

(b) Thereafter, to fly to and land at the most distant alternate airport (where required) for the airport to which dispatched; and

(c) Thereafter, to fly for 45 minutes at normal cruising fuel consumption or, for certificate holders who are authorized to conduct day VFR operations in their operations specifications and who are operating nontransport category airplanes type certificated after December 31, 1964, to fly for 30 minutes at normal cruising fuel consumption for day VFR operations.

[Doc. No. 6258, 29 FR 19222, Dec. 31, 1964, by Amdt. 121-251, 60 FR 65935

 

[PadFull'oTrim]

looked it up in Jepp's book "FAR's Explained"

looks like Tex is right.

-PFOT-

 

[midlifeflyer]

looked it up in Jepp's book "FAR's Explained"

looks like Tex is right.

He is. "IFR Conditions" ("Instrument Flight Rules Conditions") is one of those unfortunate terms. IMC would have been better.

But it is a defined term.

"IFR conditions means weather conditions below the minimum for flight under visual flight rules." FAR 1.1