Specific Excess Power () is a parameter used in aircraft performance analysis. It measures the excess power available to an aircraft on a per-unit-mass basis. Specifically, it represents the difference between the engine’s thrust () and the power required to maintain a certain flight condition.
The formula for calculating Specific Excess Power () is as follows:
- is the Specific Excess Power (typically expressed in watts per kilogram in the metric system or foot-pounds per second per pound in the Imperial system).
- is the engine thrust (in newtons or pounds-force).
- is the velocity (in meters per second or feet per second).
- is the total weight of the aircraft (in newtons or pounds-force).