Part 91 - Fuel Reserve.
The 30 minute figure seems pretty arbitrary. Some aircraft I've flown if that was all that remained in the tank would be a worry. Just a simple rate one turn could be sufficient to slosh the fuel away from the tank outlet hole causing surging or loss of supply.
In an Aero Commander it has one collector tank aft with the outlet hole at the very bottom.
But in the case of yesterday's Bankstown incident, if it was fuel starvation, a rate one turn with very limited fuel may have uncovered the out take hole.
CASA No matter what they dictate will never stop idiots running out of fuel. All they will do is chase reasonable people to prove their mantra of "Safe Flying"
In an Aero Commander it has one collector tank aft with the outlet hole at the very bottom.
But in the case of yesterday's Bankstown incident, if it was fuel starvation, a rate one turn with very limited fuel may have uncovered the out take hole.
CASA No matter what they dictate will never stop idiots running out of fuel. All they will do is chase reasonable people to prove their mantra of "Safe Flying"
The issue here isnt the 30 minutes. The issue is that if you are going to burn any of the fixed reserve you have to divert or declare an emergency. Ie there is an ongoing obligation in flight.
The USA rules make it a requirement to have 30 minutes of reserve fuel at the beginning of the flight. After that if you need to use it you can.
The USA rules make it a requirement to have 30 minutes of reserve fuel at the beginning of the flight. After that if you need to use it you can.
From 14 CFR 91.151
(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.
(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.
