HOW MUCH FUEL DOES A PROPELLER AIRPLANE CONSUME Posted on January 22, 2020
The amount of fuel an aircraft uses is dependent on many factors. There is no fixed answer to this question. However, there are certain factors you can look into to have an idea of how much fuel a plane consumes.
First is the phase of flight. The phase of flight means the period within a flight. The primary flight phases are take-off, climb, cruise, descent, and final approach. The amount of fuel needed for an aircraft to function varies depending on the phase. For instance, during take-off, the plane needs to be at its full power. It means that a lot of fuel will be used during this phase. The consumption gradually decreases as the airplane approaches the climb phase. Fuel consumption becomes even lower during the cruise phase. The second thing to consider is the size of the aircraft’s engine or the number of engines. The more engines present, the more fuel needed. Small engines that are around 65 HP burn 2.5 3 gallons per hour.
Those engines with 400 HP burn about 20 GPH in cruise mode. It is still exponentially lesser than that of a commercial aircraft. For instance, a Boeing 747 uses 1 gallon of fuel per second! The third factor is the weight of cargo/passengers. A more massive load requires more engine power. For that reason, more fuel is needed to power the plane. That is why it is important to know the maximum weight that the aircraft can carry to still function at an optimal rate. For those who are wondering why airlines charge so much for overweight baggage, here is the answer!
The last factor on our list is the condition of the aircraft. When a plane is in its best condition, it will require less energy and fuel. Engines may overcompensate when there are broken or leaking parts. Aircraft must be kept in its best possible shape at all times. For maintenance, repairs, and manufacturing of exhaust systems for aircraft, look no further. With Knisley Exhaust, you do not need to worry about your aircraft consuming more fuel than it normally does. We will ensure that your aircraft is at its optimal performance and is ready for your next flight!
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