# 14 CFR 91.151: VFR fuel requirements

> Before a VFR flight, an airplane must carry enough fuel to reach the first intended landing point and then fly at normal cruise for 30 more minutes by day, or 45 minutes at night. A rotorcraft needs 20 minutes.

Source: https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-151
Official text: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-91.151 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-15; section last amended 2016-12-30)

## In plain English

- Count wind and forecast weather to the first point of intended landing. [(a)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-151#a)
- Airplanes by day: 30 minutes more at normal cruising speed. [(a)(1)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-151#a-1)
- Airplanes at night: 45 minutes more. [(a)(2)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-151#a-2)
- Rotorcraft: 20 minutes more. [(b)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-151#b)

## Common questions

**Does the reserve apply at the destination or the first stop?**

To the first point of intended landing, so a planned fuel stop is the point the reserve is measured to.

**Is 30 minutes enough?**

It is the legal minimum when the flight begins. Many schools and renters set a personal or company minimum of an hour.

## Official text of 14 CFR 91.151

Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions.

(a) 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.

(b) 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.

## Related

- [14 CFR 91.103: Preflight action](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-103.md)
- [14 CFR 91.3: Pilot in command authority](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-3.md)

_The plain-English summary is AerScheduler's reading of the rule, not legal advice. The official text above is the eCFR's, published by the Office of the Federal Register; the eCFR is the current text._