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The Pilots Desk
US-FAA14 CFR 135.209

VFR: Fuel supply

Read the official rule

This regulation sets minimum fuel requirements for Part 135 operators flying under VFR. Before departing, you must have enough fuel to reach your destination plus a reserve, accounting for wind and forecast weather.

For airplanes, the reserve depends on when you're flying:

  • Day VFR: 30 minutes at normal cruise consumption after reaching your destination
  • Night VFR: 45 minutes at normal cruise consumption after reaching your destination

For helicopters, you need 20 minutes of fuel remaining after reaching your destination, regardless of day or night.

These are *minimums* for dispatch—you cannot legally begin the flight with less. The regulation requires you to consider wind and forecast weather when calculating whether you have sufficient fuel. In practice, many operators carry additional fuel beyond these minimums for safety, but you must have at least these reserves to legally depart under Part 135 VFR operations.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*

This is an original plain-English explanation for training and reference, not legal advice and not for navigation. Always rely on the current official rule linked above. Last reviewed June 20, 2026.