Originally Posted by
BraceBrace
EASA :
‘MINIMUM FUEL’ DECLARATION
(d) The ‘MINIMUM FUEL’ declaration informs the ATC that all planned aerodrome options have been reduced to a specific aerodrome of intended landing. It also informs the ATC that any change to the existing clearance may result in landing with less than the planned FRF. This is not an emergency situation but an indication that an emergency situation is possible, should any additional delay occur.
... When the remaining fuel no longer allows a diversion from the holding pattern, then the flight crew should declare "minimum fuel"...
That last sentence causes a lot of confusion. It seems to imply that anytime you commit to an airport, a 'minimum fuel' declaration should be made, regardless of the fact that you still have plenty of fuel on board. I know that the CAA and other UK publications use this example but it is not really in the spirit of the regulation in my opinion. This is the ICAO doc 9976 guidance:
'The pilot-in-command shall advise ATC of a minimum fuel state by declaring MINIMUM FUEL when, having committed to land at a specific aerodrome,
[and] the pilot calculates that any change to the existing clearance to that aerodrome may result in landing with less than planned final reserve fuel'
Hence I think it's too simple to say 'once committed, call minimum fuel'.