Cruise Mass in aircraft design refers to the total mass of the aircraft, including passengers, cargo, and fuel, during the cruise phase of a flight. It’s a key parameter used for performance calculations during this phase. Here’s the formula, definition, and SI unit for Cruise Mass:
Formula for Cruise Mass: The formula for calculating cruise mass is the sum of the aircraft’s empty weight (EOW or OEW), the mass of passengers and cargo (payload), and the remaining mass of fuel on board during the cruise phase. Mathematically, it can be expressed as:
- Cruise Mass: The total mass of the aircraft, including passengers, cargo, and remaining fuel, during the cruise phase of the flight, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).
- Empty Weight (EOW or OEW): The weight of the aircraft without any payload or fuel, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).
- Payload: The combined weight of passengers, cargo, and any additional items carried on board, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).
- Remaining Fuel at Cruise: The mass of fuel remaining on the aircraft at the beginning of the cruise phase, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).