Minimum dispatch fuel must include fuel to the destination, fuel to the most distant alternate, and how many minutes of normal cruise?

• A. 15 minutes
• B. 30 minutes
• C. 45 minutes
• D. 60 minutes

Answer: (C)

Fuel planning for dispatch includes three pieces: enough fuel to reach the destination, enough fuel to reach the most distant alternate, and a buffer for the cruise portion of the flight. That cruise buffer is 45 minutes of normal cruise. This 45-minute cushion accounts for unexpected delays, headwinds, holding patterns, or routing changes that can extend the flight time, ensuring you still have a safe margin to reach an alternate or land. The other options would not provide a sufficient cushion for these potential variances, or would be more than the required minimum. Therefore, 45 minutes is the correct amount.