How much AvGas is required to fly 600NM with a 12 knot headwind?

Prepare for the Commercial Pilot Airplane Exam with targeted questions. Use flashcards and multiple choice formats that include hints and explanations. Ace your test!

To determine the amount of AvGas required to fly 600 nautical miles (NM) in the presence of a 12-knot headwind, several factors need to be considered, such as the aircraft's fuel burn rate and cruising speed.

First, it's essential to calculate the effective ground speed of the aircraft when facing a headwind. If the aircraft's true airspeed (TAS) is, for example, 120 knots, the ground speed would be reduced by the headwind component. In this case, the ground speed becomes 120 knots - 12 knots = 108 knots.

Now, to find out how long the flight will take, you need to divide the distance by the effective ground speed. For 600 NM at a ground speed of 108 knots, the time to fly would be approximately:

Time = Distance / Ground Speed = 600 NM / 108 knots ≈ 5.56 hours.

Next, the fuel consumption must be calculated based on the aircraft's fuel burn rate over that flight time. If the aircraft burns, for example, 10 gallons of AvGas per hour, the total fuel required would be:

Fuel Required = Burn Rate x Flight Time = 10 gallons/hour x 5.56

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy