In TTCAFE, is Extra fuel required?

In TTCAFE, is Extra fuel required?

• A. Extra fuel is not required, but as PIC you may carry about 4 GAL extra
• B. Extra fuel is required on all flights
• C. Extra fuel equals 20 gallons
• D. Extra fuel should always be zero

Answer: (A)

In TTCAFE planning, you don’t have to include extra fuel as part of the required minimums. The baseline fuel plan covers what you need to reach your destination with the planned contingencies, plus an alternate if you can’t land at the destination, and a final reserve. Extra fuel is an optional cushion, not a mandate. The reason the stated choice is best is that it acknowledges you may carry a small, practical margin beyond the minimums without turning it into a fixed requirement for every flight. As PIC you can add about 4 gallons of extra fuel, which provides additional reassurance against minor deviations or delays, as long as doing so stays within the airplane’s weight and balance limits and does not compromise performance or landing weight. If you find you need more than that cushion due to weather, headwinds, or potential diversions, you should adjust your plan accordingly—either by carrying more fuel within limits, selecting a different destination, or adding another alternate—rather than insisting that extra fuel is always required or always zero.

In TTCAFE planning, you don’t have to include extra fuel as part of the required minimums. The baseline fuel plan covers what you need to reach your destination with the planned contingencies, plus an alternate if you can’t land at the destination, and a final reserve. Extra fuel is an optional cushion, not a mandate.

The reason the stated choice is best is that it acknowledges you may carry a small, practical margin beyond the minimums without turning it into a fixed requirement for every flight. As PIC you can add about 4 gallons of extra fuel, which provides additional reassurance against minor deviations or delays, as long as doing so stays within the airplane’s weight and balance limits and does not compromise performance or landing weight.

If you find you need more than that cushion due to weather, headwinds, or potential diversions, you should adjust your plan accordingly—either by carrying more fuel within limits, selecting a different destination, or adding another alternate—rather than insisting that extra fuel is always required or always zero.