What must VFR night fuel requirements ensure?

The correct answer is grounded in the regulatory requirements for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights conducted at night. VFR night fuel requirements necessitate pilots ensure they have sufficient fuel to reach their intended destination and an additional buffer of 45 minutes of fuel for reserve at cruise speed. This reserve is crucial as it accommodates unforeseen circumstances that could arise during flight, such as diversions to an alternate airport or unexpected weather changes.

The requirement of 45 minutes allows a significant safety margin for pilots operating under VFR at night, which inherently poses more challenges than daytime flying due to reduced visibility and the reliance on visual references. This regulation helps minimize the risk of fuel exhaustion during flight, promoting safe operation during the nighttime conditions.

Considering the options, while other responses may provide varying amounts of reserve fuel, the regulatory standard specifically identifies 45 minutes as a sufficient and required reserve to ensure pilots can safely complete their missions.