General Aviation Flight Calculator

Fuel Burn Formula:

\[ \text{Fuel Burn} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{TAS}} \times \text{Fuel Flow} + \text{Reserves} \]

Distance:

TAS:

knots

Fuel Flow:

gal/hr

Reserves:

gal

Total Fuel Required:

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1. What is the General Aviation Flight Calculator?

The General Aviation Flight Calculator estimates fuel requirements for general aviation aircraft trips using distance, true airspeed, fuel flow rate, and reserve fuel. It helps pilots plan safe and efficient flights with adequate fuel margins.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fuel burn formula:

\[ \text{Fuel Burn} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{TAS}} \times \text{Fuel Flow} + \text{Reserves} \]

Where:

\( \text{Distance} \) — Flight distance in nautical miles (nm)
\( \text{TAS} \) — True Airspeed in knots
\( \text{Fuel Flow} \) — Fuel consumption rate in gallons per hour (gal/hr)
\( \text{Reserves} \) — Reserve fuel in gallons (gal)

Explanation: The formula calculates flight time by dividing distance by airspeed, then multiplies by fuel flow rate to get trip fuel, and finally adds reserve fuel for safety margins.

3. Importance of Fuel Calculation

Details: Accurate fuel calculation is crucial for flight safety, ensuring adequate fuel for the planned trip plus legal and safety reserves. Proper fuel planning prevents fuel exhaustion emergencies and allows for diversions or holding patterns.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter distance in nautical miles, true airspeed in knots, fuel flow in gallons per hour, and reserve fuel in gallons. All values must be positive numbers with distance, TAS, and fuel flow greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between TAS and IAS?
A: TAS (True Airspeed) is the actual speed through the air, while IAS (Indicated Airspeed) is what shows on the airspeed indicator. TAS increases with altitude due to lower air density.

Q2: How much reserve fuel should I carry?
A: FAA regulations typically require at least 30-45 minutes of reserve fuel for VFR flights, and more for IFR flights. Always check current regulations and consider weather, alternates, and personal minimums.

Q3: Can I use this calculator for jet aircraft?
A: While the basic principle applies, jet aircraft calculations are more complex due to varying fuel flows at different altitudes and phases of flight. Use aircraft-specific performance charts for jets.

Q4: How accurate are these fuel calculations?
A: They provide good estimates for planning purposes, but actual fuel burn can vary due to winds, temperature, altitude, aircraft weight, and pilot technique. Always add safety margins.

Q5: Should I include taxi fuel in reserves?
A: Taxi fuel is typically calculated separately and added to the total fuel requirement. Reserves are for enroute contingencies, not ground operations.