FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Navigation, Air Traffic Control and ProceduresHard
A flight crew calculates they will land with fuel above the required minimum reserve, but with less margin than desired for any further delay. According to AIM guidance, what should the pilot communicate to ATC?
- ASay nothing to ATC unless the fuel state reaches the required reserve minimum
- BDeclare an emergency immediately regardless of remaining fuel above reserves
- CState 'fuel emergency' to guarantee immediate priority handling and landing clearance
- DAdvise ATC of 'minimum fuel' to indicate that they cannot accept any undue delay, without declaring an emergency
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Advise ATC of 'minimum fuel' to indicate that they cannot accept any undue delay, without declaring an emergency
Per AIM guidance, advising ATC of 'minimum fuel' informs controllers that the aircraft cannot accept any undue delay and priority handling may be needed, but this is not a declaration of emergency and does not guarantee priority handling by itself.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Waiting until reaching reserve fuel removes the opportunity for ATC to proactively minimize delays.
- B. Declaring an emergency is unnecessary and overstates the situation when reserves are still intact.
- C. A true fuel emergency declaration is reserved for when calculated fuel upon landing is below required reserves.
Minimum Fuel Advisory
A pilot report to ATC stating 'minimum fuel' indicates fuel is at a level allowing no additional delay, but is not an emergency declaration.
- 'Minimum fuel' is advisory, not an emergency
- ATC will try to minimize delay but priority is not guaranteed
- A true fuel emergency requires stating 'fuel emergency' when below required reserves
Memory trick: Minimum fuel = a heads-up, not a mayday.