Descent Mass in aircraft design refers to the total mass of the aircraft, including passengers, cargo, and remaining fuel, during the descent phase of a flight. It’s a significant parameter used for performance calculations and planning during the descent phase. Here’s the formula, definition, and SI unit for Descent Mass:
Formula for Descent Mass: The formula for calculating descent mass is the same as that for cruise mass. It’s 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 descent phase. Mathematically, it can be expressed as:
- Descent Mass: The total mass of the aircraft, including passengers, cargo, and remaining fuel, during the descent 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 Descent: The mass of fuel remaining on the aircraft at the beginning of the descent phase, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).