Final Reserve Fuel

Final Reserve Fuel is the minimum amount of fuel that must remain in the tanks upon landing. It is the last safety margin and should never be planned to be consumed during normal operations. If an aircraft expects to land with less than final reserve fuel, the pilot must declare a fuel emergency (MAYDAY FUEL).

• Fixed-wing IFR: 30 minutes of holding fuel at 1,500 ft above the destination
• Also known as "fixed reserve" or "protected fuel"
• Declaring "minimum fuel" to ATC means fuel is such that landing with less than final reserve is possible
• Declaring "MAYDAY FUEL" means the aircraft will land with less than final reserve