Just came to mind: In the miltitary they use BINGO fuel for point of no return.
Maybe a civil controller would also understand BINGO HOLD - For minimal fuel to reach destination?
Edit: I mean for diversion .....
Not at all likely. It is always best in any situation to learn and use the standard phraseology that is published in the AIM.
Absolutely correct. As a matter of fact, I've read some kind of an incident report where a general aviation pilot was inbound short on fuel, and told ATC "bingo fuel." Apparently they either didn't understand it at all, or didn't prioritize it as he might have intended, and therefore didn't give him the priority handling he might have received had he used proper, clear terminology about his fuel emergency. If I can find that reference, I'll post it.
Edited to add:Here it is. The situation resulted in a runway incursion incident, and the inappropriate use of the phrase "bingo fuel" was one element of the situation (although perhaps not the only one):
FAASTeam Notice published by FAA:
http://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/noticeView.aspx?nid=3964Proper terminology for civilian ATC comms:
"Minimum Fuel"
"Fuel Emergency"
Each has a specific meaning.
I'd like to revisit this suggestion, because given the above, I think it is actually potentially dangerous:
Maybe a civil controller would also understand BINGO HOLD - For minimal fuel to reach destination?"
Can you find the phrase "BINGO HOLD" anywhere, in any reference related to aviation, military or civilian? And you think maybe a controller would understand it if you used it? I'm not confident that I'm precisely sure what you mean by it, even given your additional narrative and the "Edit" you added.
Respectfully, but firmly: pleeeeease don't make up a new phrase, and imagine that "maybe a controller would understand it..."
If you know the standard terminology (like "minimum fuel" or "fuel emergency") then use it as intended. If you don't know the right standard phrase for a situation, then if you're going to make up something, you should make up a normal English sentence that explains, in plain, clear language, what you are trying to communicate. Your safety, and the safety of those around you in the air and on the ground, may depend on clear communication with ATC, as was demonstrated in the linked example above.