What is the required fuel reserve for aircraft under Part 91?

The required fuel reserve for aircraft operating under Part 91 regulation is indeed 1 hour of flight time at normal cruise fuel consumption. This requirement is established to ensure that pilots have an adequate safety margin in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as weather changes, delays, or alternate airport needs. By having this additional hour of fuel reserve, pilots can make better decisions regarding course adjustments and potential diversions.

All options that suggest less than an hour, such as 30 minutes, would not provide sufficient time to handle unexpected issues. Two hours as a reserve is excessive for most general aviation operations and not aligned with regulatory requirements. Furthermore, stating there is no specific requirement contradicts the intention of maintaining safety standards which require planning for possible contingencies. Thus, the provision for a 1-hour fuel reserve is designed to promote safe operations and contingency planning.