What does the fuel rule include regarding reserves?

What does the fuel rule include regarding reserves?

• A. Includes fuel to destination, most distant alternate, plus 45 minutes in cruise.
• B. Includes fuel to destination only.
• C. Includes fuel to destination and nearest alternate, plus 15 minutes.
• D. Includes fuel to destination and all alternates with 60 minutes.

Answer: (A)

Fuel planning must ensure you can reach your destination, then have enough fuel to reach the most distant acceptable alternate, plus a fixed reserve to cover unexpected delays. The most distant alternate is used because it represents the worst-case diversion distance you might face, so planning to it guarantees you won’t run out before an alternate can be established. The fixed reserve amount, typically 45 minutes of cruise fuel, covers potential holding or late-arriving air traffic situations after you’ve chosen an alternate. So the fuel rule includes fuel to the destination, fuel to the most distant alternate, and 45 minutes of reserve fuel in cruise.

Fuel planning must ensure you can reach your destination, then have enough fuel to reach the most distant acceptable alternate, plus a fixed reserve to cover unexpected delays. The most distant alternate is used because it represents the worst-case diversion distance you might face, so planning to it guarantees you won’t run out before an alternate can be established. The fixed reserve amount, typically 45 minutes of cruise fuel, covers potential holding or late-arriving air traffic situations after you’ve chosen an alternate. So the fuel rule includes fuel to the destination, fuel to the most distant alternate, and 45 minutes of reserve fuel in cruise.