1. What is Flight Time Calculation?

Flight time calculation is a fundamental aviation metric that determines the duration of a flight based on distance and ground speed. It's essential for flight planning, fuel management, and scheduling purposes across different aircraft types.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the flight time formula:

Where:

• \( FT \) — Flight Time (hours)
• \( D \) — Distance (kilometers)
• \( GS \) — Ground Speed (kilometers per hour)

Explanation: This simple formula divides the total distance by the aircraft's ground speed to calculate the time required to complete the journey.

3. Importance of Flight Time Calculation

Details: Accurate flight time calculation is crucial for fuel planning, crew scheduling, maintenance planning, passenger connections, and overall flight safety and efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter distance in kilometers and ground speed in kilometers per hour. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between ground speed and airspeed?
A: Ground speed is the aircraft's speed relative to the ground, while airspeed is the speed relative to the air. Ground speed accounts for wind effects.

Q2: How does wind affect flight time calculations?
A: Headwinds decrease ground speed and increase flight time, while tailwinds increase ground speed and decrease flight time.

Q3: What are typical ground speeds for different aircraft types?
A: Small aircraft: 150-250 km/h, Regional jets: 400-500 km/h, Commercial jets: 800-900 km/h, Supersonic aircraft: 2000+ km/h.

Q4: Should I include taxi time in flight time?
A: No, this calculator provides airborne flight time only. Taxi, takeoff, and landing times should be added separately for total trip duration.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation for long-haul flights?
A: For long-haul flights, factors like changing winds, altitude changes, and air traffic control routing may affect actual flight times.