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What does Bingo and

Joker Fuel Mean?
Date: February 9, 2022

In aviation terminology, there are a plethora of

phrases which represent various terms across the
industry. Two terms which may be encountered
are “bingo” and “joker” fuel. These terms are
regarded as informal and not recognised officially
by authorities.

These phrases are mostly associated with military

aviation, in which they had their origins.
However, the phrases are commonly used in civil
aviation, although they are discouraged.

Bingo Fuel Meaning

Bingo fuel is the amount of fuel in which
an aircraft requires to safely land at an
airport. While this term roughly indicates the
minimum amount of fuel in which an aircraft can
safely reach the airport, it is considered
ambiguous and as a result should never be used
when communicating with Air Traffic Control
(ATC).

This is because fuel emergencies can be declared

based on several factors. This includes the
calculated fuel reserves available along with time
elements such as long holding times and
diversions.

While an aircraft declaring a fuel emergency may

be urgent and should be expedited to land, this
does not necessarily mean the “bingo” fuel level
has been reached.

The term “Minimum Fuel” refers to the aircraft

entering fuel reserves level prior to landing. This
does not equate to “Bingo Fuel”.  

Aircraft fuel reserves are calculated based on

several factors. This includes the alternate
airports in relation to the destination, airport
holding times and the fuel burn profile specific to
the aircraft type.

Why is it Called Bingo Fuel?

The origins of the phrase “Bingo Fuel”

originate from the United States military
back in World War II. When a pilot’s fuel
readings dropped to minimum fuel to
return to the airport, “Bingo” would be
said over radio communications.

In addition to this term, pilots during World War

II would also determine airports known as “Bingo
Field” before taking off. These airports were
identified as the closest airports to land at in the
event of a fuel shortage.

While the exact reason behind choosing the word

bingo to convey this situation is unclear, it is
generally accepted by military pilots that it was
chosen because saying the word Bingo typically
refers to the end of the game.

In a flight context, it indicated that it was time for

the aircraft to land and subsequently terminate
the flight.

What is Joker Fuel?

Joker fuel is a fuel value which is more

than the bingo fuel level. Unlike bingo fuel
where the aircraft has only the minimum
fuel to land, joker fuel includes a reserves
margin. It also considered a more calculated fuel
value to that of bingo fuel.

Again, it is an informal phrase which dates back to

the United States Air Force (USAF) during the
World War II era.

Using Bingo and Joker Fuel to

Calculate Fuel Reserves

Although the terms should never be referenced to

when communicating with ATC, they can serve as
a rough rule of thumb for calculating fuel
requirements.

This is particularly true for general aviation

operations, in which correct fuel management is a
crucial element in the safe flight of the aircraft.

Incorrect fuel calculations have been identified as

a common factor in fatal General Aviation (GA)
accidents. This often leads to fuel starvation in
aircraft, particularly in poor weather conditions.  

The most important margin to be considered is

the differential between bingo and joker fuel. This
margin is typically the fuel reserve for the aircraft.

In aviation terminology, there are a plethora of

phrases which represent various terms across the
industry. Two terms which may be encountered
are “bingo” and “joker” fuel. These terms are
regarded as informal and not recognised officially
by authorities.

These phrases are mostly associated with military

aviation, in which they had their origins.
However, the phrases are commonly used in civil
aviation, although they are discouraged.

Bingo Fuel Meaning

Bingo fuel is the amount of fuel in which

an aircraft requires to safely land at an
airport. While this term roughly indicates the
minimum amount of fuel in which an aircraft can
safely reach the airport, it is considered
ambiguous and as a result should never be used
when communicating with Air Traffic Control
(ATC).

This is because fuel emergencies can be declared

based on several factors. This includes the
calculated fuel reserves available along with time
elements such as long holding times and
diversions.

While an aircraft declaring a fuel emergency may

be urgent and should be expedited to land, this
does not necessarily mean the “bingo” fuel level
has been reached.

The term “Minimum Fuel” refers to the aircraft

entering fuel reserves prior to landing, this is not
equivalent to “Bingo Fuel”.  

Aircraft fuel reserves are calculated based on

several factors. This includes the alternate
airports in relation to the destination, airport
holding times and the fuel burn profile specific to
the aircraft type.

Why is it Called Bingo Fuel?

The origins of the phrase “Bingo Fuel”

originate from the United States military
back in World War II. When a pilot’s fuel
readings dropped to minimum fuel to
return to the airport, “Bingo” would be
said over radio communications.

In addition to this term, pilots during World War

II would also determine airports known as “Bingo
Field” before taking off. These airports were
identified as the closest airports to land at in the
event of a fuel shortage.

While the exact reason behind choosing the word

bingo to convey this situation is unclear, it is
generally accepted by military pilots that it was
chosen because saying the word Bingo typically
refers to the end of the game.

In a flight context, it indicated that it was time for

the aircraft to land and subsequently terminate
the flight.

What is Joker Fuel?

Joker fuel is a fuel value which is more

than the bingo fuel level. Unlike bingo fuel
where the aircraft has only the minimum
fuel to land, joker fuel includes a reserves
margin. It also considered a more calculated fuel
value to that of bingo fuel.

Again, it is an informal phrase which dates back to

the United States Air Force (USAF) during the
World War II era.

Using Bingo and Joker Fuel to Calculate

Fuel Reserves

Although the terms should never be referenced to

when communicating with ATC, they can serve as
a rough rule of thumb for calculating fuel
requirements.

This is particularly true for general aviation

operations, in which correct fuel management is a
crucial element in the safe flight of the aircraft.

Incorrect fuel calculations have been identified as

a common factor in fatal General Aviation (GA)
accidents. This often leads to fuel starvation in
aircraft, particularly in poor weather conditions.  

The most important margin to be considered is

the differential between bingo and joker fuel. This
margin is typically the fuel reserve for the aircraft.

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