What is the fuel reserve required for VFR flights during day operations?

For VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flights conducted during day operations, the regulatory requirement for fuel reserve stipulates that a pilot must carry a minimum of 30 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed. This requirement ensures that pilots have a safety buffer in case of unforeseen circumstances, such as changes in weather, traffic delays, or unexpected need for diversion to an alternate airport.

The rationale behind the 30-minute reserve is to provide an adequate margin that can help pilots manage unexpected situations, contributing to overall safety. Pilots should always strive to plan their flights with a margin of safety regarding fuel, so knowing this rule is essential for compliance and operational safety.

Other options correspond to different scenarios, as longer reserve times like 45 or 60 minutes typically apply to specific operations or different flight conditions, such as night flying or IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flights, where the risk factors and complexities may warrant a greater reserve.