In flight mechanics, “range” refers to the horizontal distance an aircraft can travel without the need for refueling. It is a crucial performance parameter and is a measure of the endurance and fuel efficiency of an aircraft. Range is typically expressed in units such as nautical miles or kilometers. Mathematically, range can be calculated using the formula:
- : The horizontal distance an aircraft can travel without refueling in Km
- : The total amount of fuel the aircraft can hold in liters
- : The efficiency of fuel usage, often measured in distance units per unit of fuel in km/lt
- : The rate at which the aircraft consumes fuel in lt/hr.