Which statement correctly describes the domestic fuel requirement?

• A. Enough fuel to fly to the destination, to the most distant alternate, then 45 minutes beyond
• B. Enough fuel to fly to the destination only
• C. Enough fuel to land with 15 minutes reserve
• D. Enough fuel to reach the nearest alternate

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is fuel planning for a domestic flight: you must have enough fuel to complete the trip to your destination, then to reach the most distant acceptable alternate, and finally hold for 45 minutes beyond the planned arrival. The 45-minute reserve provides a safety cushion for holding patterns, unexpected delays, or other contingencies that could require extra fuel after you’ve reached the destination or an alternate.

That makes the chosen statement the best, because it covers all three required elements: the trip to the destination, the fuel to get to the farthest acceptable alternate, and an additional 45 minutes of fuel as a reserve. The other options fall short by omitting one of these essential components—either not planning for an alternate, or not including the required 45-minute reserve, or only planning fuel to the destination or to a nearer alternate.