Aviation Glossary - Minimum Fuel

At Dauntless, our editorial staff maintains the web's largest unified glossary of aviation terms. This glossary is built from a combination of official, quasi-official, and proprietary sources (including original material that we develop oursselves). Uniquely, we often provide multiple definitions of a given term so that you can find that which best applies to you. In order to maximize your learning efficiency, this glossary (and similar ones for our international users) is incresingly fully integrated into our aviation learning apps, including our FAA written test prep and FAA practical test prep software and apps. If you like this glossary, you'll love them with their polished learning environments and world's best and clearest content (please do give them a try.).

Minimum Fuel

Indicates that an aircraft's fuel supply has reached a state where, upon reaching the destination, it can accept little or no delay. This is not an emergency situation but merely indicates an emergency situation is possible should any undue delay occur.

source: FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary

The amount of fuel necessary for one half hour of operation at the rated maximum-continuous power setting of the engine, which, for weight and balance purposes, is 1/12 gallon per maximum-except-takeoff (METO) horse-power. It is the maximum amount of fuel that could be used in weight and balance computations when low fuel might adversely affect the most critical balance conditions. To determine the weight of the minimum fuel in pounds, divide the METO horsepower by two.

source: FAA Weight and Balance Handbook (FAA-H-8083-1A)

Ace Any FAA Written Test!

	Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
	The best explanations in the business
	Fast, efficient study.

Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!

	FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
	Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
	Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.

The World's Most Trusted eLogbook

	Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
	Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
	Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.

Disclaimer: While this glossary in most cases is likely to be highly accurate and useful, sometimes, for any number of editorial, transcription, technical, and other reasons, it might not be. Additionally, as somtimes you may have found yourself brought to this page through an automated term matching system, you may find definitions here that do not match the cotext or application in which you saw the original term. Please use your good judgement when using this resource.