FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)Navigation and Flight PlanningMedium
A commercial pilot plans a flight to be conducted at night under VFR. The airplane's cruise fuel burn is 9 gallons per hour, and fuel to the first point of intended landing is calculated at 27 gallons. What minimum amount of usable fuel must be aboard at takeoff to comply with 14 CFR Part 91?
- A34.5 gallons
- B36 gallons
- C33.75 gallons
- D31.5 gallons
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 33.75 gallons
14 CFR 91.151(a)(2) requires night VFR flights to carry fuel to the destination plus 45 minutes at normal cruise speed. Reserve = 9 GPH x 0.75 hr = 6.75 gallons. Total = 27 + 6.75 = 33.75 gallons.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This slightly overstates the reserve beyond 45 minutes.
- B. This applies a full hour reserve, exceeding the night VFR requirement.
- D. This uses only a 35-minute reserve, less than required.
Night VFR Fuel Reserve (91.151)
Night VFR flights require fuel to the first point of intended landing plus 45 minutes at normal cruising speed, per 14 CFR 91.151(a)(2).
- Night reserve = 45 minutes at cruise burn rate
- Day reserve = 30 minutes
- 'Night' is defined as the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight for this rule
Memory trick: Day = 3-0, Night = 4-5 — reserve minutes climb after dark.