IFR fuel reserves

ASpilot2be

ASpilot2be

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Just to clarify, all IFR flights need to be dispatched with enough fuel to get to the alternate plus cruise for another 45 minutes at a normal cruising speed right?

I was under the impression that it was 30 minutes in non-IMC conditions, and 45 in IMC conditions.
 
No, day VFR fuel reserves are 30 mintues. Night VFR is 45 minutes. IFR (regardless of VMC/IMC or day/night) is 45 minutes.

You are correct about enough fuel to your destination, then to your alternate (if you need one), and 45 minutes on top of that.

Just remember, if the weather is forecast to be better than 2000' ceilings and 3 SM visibility from 1 hour before to 1 hour after your ETA then you don't even need an alternate or the fuel to fly to that alternate. Just the fuel to fly to your destination and 45 minutes after that at normal crusiing speed.
 
ASpilot2be said:
Just to clarify, all IFR flights need to be dispatched with enough fuel to get to the alternate plus cruise for another 45 minutes at a normal cruising speed right?
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That is correct, with the caveat that you don't always need an alternate.
 
ASpilot2be said:
I was under the impression that it was 30 minutes in non-IMC conditions, and 45 in IMC conditions.
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You are correct in that impression as pertains to flights that are purely Part 91. Part 121 and Part 135 introduce more rules and the OpSpecs can be different with different operators.
 
guywhoflies said:
No, day VFR fuel reserves are 30 mintues. Night VFR is 45 minutes. IFR (regardless of VMC/IMC or day/night) is 45 minutes.
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This is incorrect.


§ 91.167 Fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions.
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(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.
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You only require the 45 minutes if you're flying in IFR conditions.
 
IFR conditions mean under instrument flight rules, not IMC. you aren't flying under VFR if you are on an IFR flight plan, Even if you are VMC. the regs would state under VMC if you could carry VFR reserves on an IFR Flight plan.
 
That's what i thought. I was taught on an IFR flight plan its 45 minutes reserve. And if conditions call for an alternate then enough fuel to fly to that alternate then 45 minutes at normal cruise.
 
Inverted said:
IFR conditions mean under instrument flight rules, not IMC. you aren't flying under VFR if you are on an IFR flight plan, Even if you are VMC. the regs would state under VMC if you could carry VFR reserves on an IFR Flight plan.
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If they meant IFR flight plan, they would have said so.

It clearly states IFR conditions. IE- less than VFR.
 
re: non ifr flight plan:

Often in areas where you are able to get tower en route clearances.

Southern California is a prime example.
 
Trust me just because you call the tower to pick a clearance up, doesn't mean you are not in the system. If you are flying ifr outsde of G you are in the computer whether you call 1800-wx-brief or not...
 
IFR conditions is any condition in which you have to comply wth the rules for instrument flight. Whether it's weather or being in the flight levels etc. To me that's carrying proper fuel reserves.
 
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