What triggers the Captain to call dispatch immediately?

• A. Greater than 15%
• B. Greater than 5%
• C. Greater than 20%
• D. Greater than 50%

Answer: (A)

The main idea is knowing when to alert dispatch based on fuel status. Airlines set an early alert margin for fuel that signals the Captain should contact dispatch right away so they can help replan the flight. Calling at this early point gives dispatch time to arrange alternatives—like different airports, weather-adjusted routing, or additional fuel planning—before reserves become critical. Waiting for a larger margin would eat into the time needed to implement a safe contingency, and acting before the alert wouldn’t be appropriate because it would be calling too soon for routine conditions. So, the best practice is to trigger dispatch at the earliest alert margin, ensuring safe, timely coordination.