FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Regulations (14 CFR 61/91)Medium
A pilot plans a day VFR cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane that burns 9 gallons per hour at normal cruising power. The flight to the first point of intended landing is expected to take 2 hours 15 minutes. According to 14 CFR 91.151, what is the minimum amount of usable fuel the pilot must have on board at takeoff?
- A33.75 gallons
- B27.00 gallons
- C20.25 gallons
- D24.75 gallons
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 24.75 gallons
For day VFR, 91.151 requires enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing plus 30 minutes at normal cruising speed. Total time = 2:15 + 0:30 = 2:45 hours = 2.75 hours. Fuel required = 2.75 hours × 9 gph = 24.75 gallons.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This uses a 45-minute night reserve (3.0 hours × 9 gph), which does not apply to a day flight.
- B. This would be the requirement for a 3-hour total flight/reserve time, not applicable here.
- C. This reflects only the flight time without the 30-minute reserve.
VFR Fuel Requirements (91.151)
Requires enough fuel to reach the first point of intended landing, plus a reserve of 30 minutes (day) or 45 minutes (night) at normal cruising speed.
- Day VFR reserve: 30 minutes at normal cruise
- Night VFR reserve: 45 minutes at normal cruise
- Applies to airplanes only, not helicopters (91.151 vs 91.167 for IFR)
Memory trick: '3 for day, 4.5 for night' (30 min day, 45 min night).