Federal Aviation Regulations
14 CFR § 91.151 — Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 annual edition. U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105).
The regulation, in full
Sec. 91.151 Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions.
(a) No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions
unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is
enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming
normal cruising speed--
(1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or
(2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.
(b) No person may begin a flight in a rotorcraft under VFR
conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather
conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended
landing and, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at
least 20 minutes.What this means for the knowledge test
Our own study notes for this section — reviewed through our AI instructional-review system, not by a certificated flight instructor. Not an authoritative source.
For VFR flight, an aircraft may not begin a flight unless it carries enough fuel to reach the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruise speed, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes during the day, or at least 45 minutes at night. These are legal minimums; prudent pilots plan larger reserves.
14 CFR 91.151
For VFR flight, no person may begin a flight unless there is enough fuel, considering wind and forecast conditions, to fly to the first point of intended landing and then, at normal cruise, for at least 30 minutes during the day or at least 45 minutes at night. These are legal minimums; prudent pilots plan a larger personal reserve.
14 CFR 91.151
Lessons that cover § 91.151
Practice questions on § 91.151 (4)
What is the minimum VFR fuel reserve for a daytime flight?
Answer Enough to fly to the first point of intended landing plus 30 minutes at normal cruise
For day VFR, an aircraft must carry enough fuel to reach the first point of intended landing and then fly for at least 30 minutes at normal cruise.
How does the VFR fuel reserve at night differ from the daytime requirement?
Answer Night requires 45 minutes instead of 30 minutes at normal cruise
The VFR reserve is at least 30 minutes during the day and increases to at least 45 minutes at night, both at normal cruise beyond the first point of intended landing.
For a day VFR flight, what is the minimum fuel reserve beyond the first point of intended landing?
Answer Enough to fly at normal cruise for at least 30 minutes
Under 91.151, day VFR requires enough fuel to reach the first point of intended landing plus at least 30 minutes at normal cruise (45 minutes at night).
For a night VFR flight, what is the minimum fuel reserve beyond the first point of intended landing?
Answer At least 45 minutes
Night VFR requires enough fuel to reach the first point of intended landing plus at least 45 minutes at normal cruise under 91.151.