What is the FAA minimum reserve fuel required for day operations?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) establishes minimum reserve fuel requirements to ensure that pilots have a buffer of fuel for unforeseen circumstances, such as changes in air traffic, weather conditions, or the need to divert to an alternate airport. For day operations, the FAA mandates that a pilot must carry a minimum of 30 minutes of fuel as reserve beyond the planned flight time. This requirement is crucial for safe flight operations, as it accounts for potential delays and helps mitigate the risk of fuel exhaustion. Having this reserve increases the margin of safety during each flight, supporting a fundamental principle of aviation safety: always having enough fuel to reach a safe landing, including additional time in case of unexpected situations.