SPO.OP.190 In-flight fuel management

SI No. 1290/2024

Text in magenta in force from 30 October 2025

1. The operator of a complex motor-powered aircraft shall ensure that in-flight fuel checks and fuel management are performed.

2. The pilot-in-command shall check at regular intervals that the amount of usable fuel remaining in flight is not less than the fuel required to proceed to a weather-permissible aerodrome or operating site and the planned reserve fuel as required by SPO.OP.130 and SPO.OP.131.

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

SPO.OP.190 Fuel scheme – in-flight fuel management policy

1. The operator of complex motor-powered aircraft must establish procedures to ensure that in-flight fuel or energy checks and fuel or energy management are performed.

2. The pilot-in-command must monitor the amount of useable fuel or energy remaining on board to ensure that it is protected and not less than the fuel or energy that is required to proceed to an aerodrome or operating site where a safe landing can be made.

3. The pilot-in-command must advise air traffic control of a ‘minimum fuel or energy’ state by declaring ‘MINIMUM FUEL’ when the pilot-in-command has:

   1. committed to land at a specific aerodrome or operating site; and

   2. calculated that any change to the existing clearance to that aerodrome or operating site, or other air traffic delays, may result in landing with less that the planned final reserve fuel or energy.

4. The pilot-in-command must declare a situation of ‘fuel or energy emergency’ by broadcasting ‘MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY FUEL’ when the useable fuel or energy estimated to be available on landing at the nearest aerodrome or operating site where a safe landing can be made is less than the planned final reserve of fuel or energy.