Holding Fuel Requirements

What Are Holding Fuel Requirements?

Holding fuel requirements specify the amount of fuel an aircraft must carry to sustain flight in a holding pattern, usually at 1,500 ft above the destination or alternate aerodrome. This is a critical component of reserve fuel and is strictly regulated to ensure safety margins are maintained.

Regulatory Basis and Calculation

EASA regulations require that, as part of contingency fuel, the operator must calculate fuel sufficient for at least five minutes of holding at 1,500 ft above the destination aerodrome in standard conditions. The greater value between this holding fuel and the operator’s chosen contingency calculation (e.g., 5% of trip fuel, 3% with en-route alternate, 20 minutes at cruise consumption, or statistical analysis) must be used.

To calculate holding fuel:

• Determine the holding speed and altitude (usually 1,500 ft above aerodrome elevation).
• Find the fuel flow for the aircraft at this configuration (from performance tables or manuals).
• Multiply the fuel flow rate by the required holding time (e.g., 5 minutes/0.083 hours).

For example, if the fuel flow at holding speed is 6,500 kg/hr, then 5 minutes of holding requires 542 kg (6,500 × 0.083).

Practical Considerations

Holding fuel is not only a regulatory minimum but also a practical buffer for ATC delays, weather, or operational disruptions. In some cases, operational judgment may dictate carrying additional holding fuel beyond the minimum, especially at busy airports or in poor weather.

Exam Application

You may be asked to calculate holding fuel using provided fuel flow rates, aircraft mass, and holding times, or to select the correct regulatory minimum in a scenario. Always use the higher value between the contingency calculation and the five-minute holding requirement.