What speed must the aircraft fly to the alternate airport during a diversion due to minimum fuel?

• A. Long Range Cruise
• B. Normal Cruise
• C. Climb Speed
• D. Descent Speed

Answer: (A)

When you’re diverting with minimum fuel, the goal is to reach the alternate with the least fuel burn. Long Range Cruise is the speed setting designed to maximize endurance by minimizing fuel burn per mile at cruise. Flying at this speed gives you more remaining fuel and increases the chance you can safely reach the alternate with required reserves. Normal Cruise uses a higher burn for faster travel, which isn’t ideal when fuel is tight. Climb Speed and Descent Speed are related to specific phases of flight (upward or downward) and aren’t the appropriate choices for optimizing fuel when en route to an alternate. So the best option to conserve fuel and extend range to the alternate is Long Range Cruise.