Planning the Inst. App and fuel

Fly-Til-I-Die24-7

Fly-Til-I-Die24-7

New Member
So for the CFI-I's out there, how much fuel required should you factor into fuel requirments for the terminal and approach phase of an IFR cross country flight. 20 min? 30? 45?

Thanks
 
However long you reasonably think it will take. Flying in to the New York metro area under IFR isn't the same as flying in to Podunkville, Kansas.
 
I would say whatever it takes to fly one full approach, with contingency for a missed approach and possible second attempt (if you can). In that case, 30-45 minutes isn't unheard of.
 
It depends on how conservative you want to be, though I'd say 15 minutes is probably an accepted standard for training purposes. I'd think the big thing to take away from your initial IFR cross-countries is the amount of control ATC has over your route of flight. When you did a VFR XC, as long as you didn't go through Class B,C, or D, your actual course, and altitude was going to be the same as you planned, and therefore your fuel burn was going to be the same as planned for the most part. Under IFR, your course, altitude are subject to the needs of ATC. You as PIC are responsible for ensuring you have enough fuel to get to where you are going and all likely contingencies.
 
Fly-Til-I-Die24-7 said:
So for the CFI-I's out there, how much fuel required should you factor into fuel requirments for the terminal and approach phase of an IFR cross country flight. 20 min? 30? 45?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I loathe FAR quotes. Will refrain.

You should have enough fuel to fly to your destination, alternate, the approach, and 45 min after. It does not say if your supposed to have that 45 min reserve "before" or "after".

I personally don't like to fall below an hour of reserve.

Case in point: Was ramp checked (really?!) w/ about 15 min of fuel left IFR. Was going to get written up but stated the FAR doesn't specifically state if you need that 45 min of reserve when you land, my earth shattering debate ended with "I had 45 min reserve when I took off!"


**totally read that question wrong**
My bad-Ignore all that jargon
 
chensley said:
I loathe FAR quotes. Will refrain.

You should have enough fuel to fly to your destination, alternate, the approach, and 45 min after. It does not say if your supposed to have that 45 min reserve "before" or "after".

I personally don't like to fall below an hour of reserve.

Case in point: Was ramp checked (really?!) w/ about 15 min of fuel left IFR. Was going to get written up but stated the FAR doesn't specifically state if you need that 45 min of reserve when you land, my earth shattering debate ended with "I had 45 min reserve when I took off!"


**totally read that question wrong**
My bad-Ignore all that jargon
Click to expand...

15 minutes of fuel??

Damn, I've coasted in pretty low before but 15 minutes... I start getting nervous with anything less than an hour remaining.
 
chensley said:
Case in point: Was ramp checked (really?!) w/ about 15 min of fuel left IFR. Was going to get written up but stated the FAR doesn't specifically state if you need that 45 min of reserve when you land, my earth shattering debate ended with "I had 45 min reserve when I took off!"
Click to expand...

Glad to hear you weren't violated! That is how I always interpretted the IFR fuel reserve rule as well - ensure prior to departure that you have 45 minutes of reserve, given weather reports and forecasts, etc. Once you launch, if unforecasted weather or ATC issued routing changes force you to dig into that reserve somewhat, it's still legal...that's the reason you carry a reserve. I was always confident that was the spirit of the regulation.

That said, I re-read 91.167 and compared it to 91.151 for the first time in quite awhile, and realized that there is a difference in wording...

91.151(a) specifically says "no person may begin a flight" in VFR conditions without proper reserves, while 91.167(a) says "no person may operate a civil aircraft in IFR conditions" without proper reserves. (all emphasis is mine) Very interesting difference in wording...apparently it's only okay to dip into your reserves if you are in VMC. Never took notice of this difference before...just carried the 91.151 logic automatically into 91.167 because, to me, it makes sense.
 
AirmetTango said:
Glad to hear you weren't violated! That is how I always interpretted the IFR fuel reserve rule as well - ensure prior to departure that you have 45 minutes of reserve, given weather reports and forecasts, etc. Once you launch, if unforecasted weather or ATC issued routing changes force you to dig into that reserve somewhat, it's still legal...that's the reason you carry a reserve. I was always confident that was the spirit of the regulation.

.
Click to expand...

Agree. That is why it's there, to use for unplanned needs. Had that happen the other night when my first destination wasn't usable and I ended up having to go to a different field. Bit into about 5 mins of the reserve, leaving about 15 mins remaining. All unplanned, but things happen. Again, thats why its there.
 
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