Pilot Counsel: Running on empty  VFR fuel requirements  November
1, 2013  John S. YodiceThe fuel requirement for flight in VFR
conditions is an important rule that we don’t have much occasion
to look at in detail. So, here goes. FAR 91.151(a) says that:
“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.”  There is not
much question of interpretation about how to account for wind
and weather in estimating flight time and fuel requirements.
Pilots are trained to do it, and they do it all the time in
practice. But one phrase that does raise an interesting question
is, what is normal cruising speed? We know that there are a
whole range of fuel consumption figures for various cruise
configurations of an airplane. Would i