14 CFR · Part 91
14 CFR § 91.151
Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions.
In Brief
What It Is
The minimum fuel you must plan to have for a VFR flight — enough to reach the first intended landing plus a day or night reserve.
Why It Matters
Fuel exhaustion is one of the most preventable accident causes, and this is the hard regulatory floor rather than a best-practice reserve.
FlightPush summary.
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—
During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes; or
At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.
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.
Reflects the eCFR edition current as of July 6, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.
Primary Source