What are the minimum fuel requirements under IFR conditions when the first airport of intended landing has a 3,000-foot ceiling and 2 miles visibility at the planned ETA?

The requirement for fuel under IFR conditions is guided by specific regulation stipulations that ensure safety in case of unexpected circumstances. When landing at an airport with a 3,000-foot ceiling and 2 miles visibility, the visibility is below the minimums typically required for a flight to continue to that airport, which prompts the need for alternate planning.

In this scenario, the correct answer entails having enough fuel to fly to the destination airport, then to an alternate airport, and then an additional 45 minutes of flight time at normal cruising speed. This is essential because if conditions at the intended landing airport become unfavorable upon arrival, the pilot must have sufficient fuel to divert safely to an alternate airport and have additional reserves onboard. The additional 45 minutes of fuel serves as a buffer to account for unforeseen delays, holding patterns, or other contingencies that might arise.

This comprehensive fuel requirement ensures that a pilot is prepared for various eventualities, safeguarding against situations that could lead to fuel exhaustion if the initial plan cannot be executed as intended.