Episode
How Much Fuel Reserve Do You Actually Need?
- Podcast
- Aviation Mentors
- Published
- Sep 12, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1158
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://rss.com/podcasts/aviationmentors/3144111
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Summary
Fuel starvation kills more pilots than mechanical failure ever will, so why do so many still skip the fuel stop? ⛽ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down real fuel exhaustion accidents pulled straight from recent aviation news, then share a personal story of nearly running dry over the desert in an Icon A5. They unpack the exact planning mistakes that turn a routine cross country into a fuel emergency, and the mindset shift that prevents it. Why fuel starvation, not mechanical failure, is the leading pilot-error cause of fatal GA accidents Real accident cases, including a 508 nautical mile cross country that crashed with 38 gallons on board How to plan fuel stops instead of trusting your fuel gauge or cutting it close on reserves When to declare a fuel emergency, and why waiting until you hit reserve minimums can already be too late 🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, or CFI, this episode hands you the fuel planning habits that could save your flight, and possibly your life. 🌎 New episodes drop every Friday. Join us, learn, and stay safe out there. This episode is brought to you by Stratus Financial ( stratus.finance ), proud sponsor of Aviation Mentors and dedicated to helping the next generation of pilots finance their aviation training.