NCO.OP.125 Fuel and oil supply — aeroplanes

SI No. 1290/2024

Text in magenta in force from 30 October 2025

  1. The pilot-in-command shall only commence a flight if the aeroplane carries sufficient fuel and oil for the following:

    1. for visual flight rules (VFR) flights:

      1. by day, taking-off and landing at the same aerodrome/landing site and always remaining in sight of that aerodrome/landing site, to fly the intended route and thereafter for at least 10 minutes at normal cruising altitude;

      2. by day, to fly to the aerodrome of intended landing and thereafter to fly for at least 30 minutes at normal cruising altitude; or

      3. by night, to fly to the aerodrome of intended landing and thereafter to fly for at least 45 minutes at normal cruising altitude;

    2. for IFR flights:

      1. when no destination alternate is required, to fly to the aerodrome of intended landing and thereafter to fly for at least 45 minutes at normal cruising altitude; or

      2. when a destination alternate is required, to fly to the aerodrome of intended landing, to an alternate aerodrome and thereafter to fly for at least 45 minutes at normal cruising altitude.

  2. In computing the fuel required including to provide for contingency, the following shall be taken into consideration:

    1. forecast meteorological conditions;

    2. anticipated ATC routings and traffic delays;

    3. procedures for loss of pressurisation or failure of one engine while en-route, where applicable; and

    4. any other condition that may delay the landing of the aeroplane or increase fuel and/or oil consumption.

  3. Nothing shall preclude amendment of a flight plan in-flight, in order to re-plan the flight to another destination, provided that all requirements can be complied with from the point where the flight is re-planned.

The title and text below will replace the text above on 30 October 2025:

NCO.OP.125 – Fuel, energy and oil supply -aeroplanes or helicopters

The pilot-in-command of an aircraft must:

  1. ensure that the aircraft carries a sufficient quantity of fuel or energy and oil, taking into account the weather conditions, any element affecting the performance of the aircraft, any delays that are expected in flight and any contingencies that may reasonably be expected to affect the flight;

  2. plan a quantity of fuel or energy to be protected as final reserve fuel or energy to ensure a safe landing, taking into account points (1) and (2), in that priority order, to determine the quantity of the final reserve fuel or energy:

    1. the severity of the hazard to persons or property that could result from an emergency landing after fuel or energy starvation;

    2. the likelihood of unexpected circumstances resulting in the final reserve fuel or energy may no longer be protected;

  3. commence a flight only if the aircraft carries sufficient fuel or energy and oil:

    1. when no destination alternate aerodrome is required, to fly to the aerodrome or operating site of intended landing, plus the final reserve fuel or energy; or

    2. when a destination alternate aerodrome is required, to fly to the aerodrome or operating site of intended landing, and afterwards, to an alternate aerodrome, plus the final reserve fuel or energy.