Loiter Fuel in aircraft design refers to the amount of fuel consumed by the aircraft during the loiter phase of a flight. The loiter phase typically involves the aircraft hovering, circling, or maintaining a low-speed, low-altitude flight pattern for a specific mission or task, such as surveillance or reconnaissance. Here’s the formula, definition, and SI unit for Loiter Fuel:
Formula for Loiter Fuel: The formula for calculating loiter fuel is straightforward. It’s the difference between the total fuel mass at the beginning of the loiter phase and the total fuel mass at the end of the loiter phase. Mathematically, it can be expressed as:
- Loiter Fuel: The amount of fuel consumed by the aircraft during the loiter phase, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).
- Initial Fuel Mass: The mass of fuel on board the aircraft at the beginning of the loiter phase, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).
- Final Fuel Mass: The mass of fuel remaining on board the aircraft at the end of the loiter phase, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).