What is Reserve fuel?

• A. Additional fuel needed for fuel leaks.
• B. Extra fuel planned to handle contingencies or delays beyond planned trip fuel.
• C. The minimum fuel to fly under emergency conditions.
• D. Fuel used to reach the alternate airport.

Answer: (B)

Reserve fuel is extra fuel carried beyond the planned trip fuel to cover unforeseen delays or contingencies after takeoff. It provides a safety margin in case you need to hold for weather, reroute around congestion or storms, or experience other unplanned conditions that increase fuel burn. It’s not intended for leaks, nor is it the minimum fuel for an emergency, and it isn’t the amount required specifically to reach an alternate airport—that latter category has its own designation. In practice, reserve fuel is the built-in cushion that keeps the flight safe if the plan changes after departure.