Fuel Burn Calculator
Calculate fuel burn, endurance, and range for your flight. Select your aircraft, enter distance and wind conditions, and verify you have enough fuel for a safe trip.
Flight Parameters
Positive = headwind, negative = tailwind
Usable fuel capacity: 53 gal
Results
Ground Speed
124 kt
Flight Time
1h 37m
Fuel for Trip
17.7 gal
106 lbs
Total + VFR Reserve
24.1 gal
145 lbs
Fuel Remaining at Dest
35.3 gal
249 min reserve
Max Endurance
5h 46m
Max Range
715 NM
Fuel Breakdown
FUEL OK
You will land with 249 minutes of fuel remaining — well above VFR reserve requirements.
How Fuel Burn Is Calculated
This calculator estimates fuel requirements using standard flight planning methods:
- Ground speed = True Airspeed (TAS) minus headwind component (or plus tailwind)
- Flight time = Trip distance / ground speed
- Cruise fuel = Flight time x burn rate (GPH)
- Taxi/startup = 1.5 gallons (standard estimate)
- Climb fuel = 2.5 gallons (15 GPH for 10 minutes)
- VFR reserve = 45 minutes at cruise burn rate (FAR 91.151)
- IFR reserve = 30 minutes at cruise burn rate (FAR 91.167, to alternate + 45 min simplified)
Fuel weight is calculated at 6 lbs per gallon (avgas 100LL). Always cross-check with your POH for exact aircraft performance data.
Fuel Planning Is Tested on Every FAA Exam
Fuel calculations appear on the Private Pilot, Instrument, and Commercial written exams. Here is a sample question — can you get it right?
An aircraft burns 9 GPH in cruise. With 48 gallons of usable fuel, how much fuel remains after a 3-hour flight? (Assume 1.5 gal taxi + 2.5 gal climb)
Fuel planning is critical for safe flight and tested on every FAA written exam. Are you prepared?
Start for $7.49Drone pilot? Take the free Part 107 practice test
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate fuel burn for a flight?
Multiply your aircraft's cruise fuel burn rate (GPH) by the expected flight time in hours. Add fuel for taxi (typically 1.5 gal), climb (approximately 2.5 gal for light aircraft), and the required legal reserve (45 minutes VFR or 30 minutes IFR at cruise burn rate).
What is the FAA fuel reserve requirement?
Under VFR (FAR 91.151), you must carry enough fuel to fly to your destination and then fly for 30 minutes during the day or 45 minutes at night at normal cruise speed. Under IFR (FAR 91.167), you need enough fuel to fly to your destination, then to an alternate (if required), and then for 45 minutes at normal cruise. This calculator uses 45 minutes for VFR and 30 minutes for IFR as simplified planning values.
How does wind affect fuel burn?
A headwind reduces your ground speed, increasing flight time and fuel burn. A tailwind increases ground speed, reducing flight time and fuel consumption. Always plan for the worst-case wind scenario, especially on long cross-country flights.
How much does avgas weigh?
Aviation gasoline (100LL avgas) weighs approximately 6 pounds per gallon. Jet-A fuel weighs approximately 6.7 pounds per gallon. This calculator uses 6 lbs/gal for avgas weight conversions.
Are these calculations exact?
This calculator provides planning estimates. Actual fuel burn varies with altitude, temperature, mixture leaning, aircraft condition, and piloting technique. Always consult your aircraft's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for precise performance data.
More free tools: Crosswind Calculator · Weight & Balance · METAR Decoder · ATPL Quiz
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate fuel burn for a flight?
Fuel burn = (Fuel Flow Rate × Flight Time) + Taxi Fuel + Reserve. Fuel flow varies by aircraft, power setting, and altitude. Always add required reserves: 30 minutes for VFR day, 45 minutes for VFR night, and approach fuel for IFR.
What are the FAA fuel reserve requirements?
For VFR day flights, you must have enough fuel to fly to your destination plus 30 minutes at normal cruise. VFR night requires 45 minutes reserve. IFR flights require fuel to the destination, alternate (if required), plus 45 minutes.
Does fuel burn change with altitude?
Yes, fuel burn generally decreases at higher altitudes due to leaner mixtures and lower air density. However, the climb to altitude uses more fuel. For short flights, lower altitudes may be more fuel-efficient; for longer flights, higher altitudes save fuel overall.
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