Estimate reserve fuel required using fuel flow and reserve time. This free aviation calculator helps pilots plan fuel margins for safety, compliance, and unexpected delays.
Enter fuel flow and reserve time to calculate reserve fuel required in gallons.
This calculator estimates the amount of fuel required to preserve a specific reserve time based on expected fuel flow.
Reserve fuel is fuel kept available for safety, legal compliance, and operational flexibility. It is intended to remain unused during normal flight planning unless needed for unexpected circumstances.
Pilots use reserve fuel planning to protect against delays, reroutes, weather changes, and other operational surprises that may increase flight time or fuel burn.
Use the reserve time required by your regulations, operation type, company procedures, or personal minimums.
Yes. Reserve fuel is usually treated as protected fuel and should not be counted as normal trip fuel.
Use a realistic expected fuel flow for the conditions in which reserve fuel might actually be consumed.
No. Holding fuel and alternate fuel are usually planned mission fuel amounts, while reserve fuel is typically an additional protected safety margin.