What are the standard IFR fuel requirements?

The standard IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) fuel requirements state that an aircraft must have enough fuel to reach its destination, an alternate airfield if one is required, and an additional 45 minutes of flight time beyond that. This requirement ensures that a pilot has a sufficient reserve of fuel to handle unexpected delays or diversions that could occur during flight, such as weather changes, airport congestion, or other unplanned circumstances.

Having fuel for the destination alone, without reserves, or just a minimum for the destination with 30 minutes of holding, does not comply with safety regulations, as these options do not account for unpredicted scenarios that could increase flight time beyond what was initially planned. Additionally, fuel only to the destination plus a reserve may not provide adequate safety margins required under IFR conditions, particularly in cases where alternate airports are necessary. Thus, the complete requirement of having fuel for the destination, alternate, and 45 minutes beyond is essential for maintaining safety in IFR operations.