They’re supposed to land with a 10% fuel reserve.
If they project a lower reserve early on, they may be required to return to top off.
Thanks. Just didn’t seem like it we were out there that long to run low. I guess it’s possible. Thanks.
I’ve been on two flights where the pilot had to land and refuel based on potential bad weather at the final destination. Just in case we had to circle for a while.
This is dependent upon weather at the destination airfield. FAR Part 91 has multiple conditions on fuel requirements, both VFR and IFR. Worst case scenario was enough fuel for destination plus alternate plus 30 minutes (45 at night).
If they were idling for an hour may have indeed taken their fuel below safe minimums.
Commercial jets fly with no more gas than they need (required by law) generally as fuel adds weight needing more fuel to be burnedso it adds cost to the flight.
If a flight needs 1/2 a tank to fly the distance safely it will not be fueled to capacity.