Rangeequation
Info
The relation describing the specific air range of an aircraft in cruise can be adapted to calculate the fuel required for a given range \(R\). The governing equation for the range is:
Depending on which variables are assumed constant during the flight, different analytical solutions to the integral can be derived:
| Variables assumed Constant | Variables allowed to Vary | Additional Assumptions | Solution | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \(TSFC\) \(L/D\) \(V\) |
\(m\) | none | "Breguet range equation (climb-cruise)" | calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet_improved |
| \(TSFC\) \(h\) \(V\) |
\(m\) \(L/D\) |
low-speed drag polar applies \(C_D = C_{D_0} + KC_L^2\) | "arctan solution (step-climb)" | calculate_fuel_consumption_stepclimb_arctan |
| \(TSFC\) \(h\) \(V\) |
\(m\) \(L/D\) |
none | "numerical solution (step-climb)" | calculate_fuel_consumption_stepclimb_integration |
References
Section 13.2 in Young, T. M. (2018). Performance of the Jet Transport Airplane (Section 13.7.3 "Fuel Required for Specified Range"). John Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/9781118534786
Note also that some authors spell "Breguet" as "Bréguet" (with accent on the "e"). This is not limited to non-French speakers. Even in his original 1923 publication "Calcul du Poids de Combustible Consummé par un Avion en vol Ascendant" , Breguet's name is spelled without an accent:

But in the same publication, an aircraft manufactured by his company is spelled with accent:

jetfuelburn.rangeequation ¶
calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet ¶
calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet(
R, LD, m_after_cruise, V, TSFC
)
Given a flight distance (=range) \(R\) and basic aircraft performance parameters (see table), returns the fuel mass burned during the flight \(m_f\) [kg] based on a flight schedule where the lift-coefficient and velocity are constant during cruise ("cruise-climb"). This solution is also known as the Breguet range equation.
Fuel mass is calculated as:
where:
| Symbol | Dimension | Description |
|---|---|---|
| \(m_{fuel}\) | [mass] | Fuel required for the mission of the aircraft |
| \(R\) | [distance] | Range of the aircraft (=mission distance) |
| \(TSFC\) | [time/distance] | Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption of the aircraft during cruise |
| \(g\) | [acceleration] | Acceleration due to gravity |
| \(L/D\) | [dimensionless] | Lift-to-Drag ratio of the aircraft |
| \(v\) | [speed] | Average cruise speed of the aircraft (TAS) |
| \(m_2\) | [mass] | Mass of the aircraft after cruise segment |
Note that thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC) is of dimension [time/distance], as the commonly used unit [g/kNs] simplifies accordingly.
Notes
Key assumptions of this fuel calculation function:
| Parameter | Assumption |
|---|---|
| data availability | adequate for both current aircraft (reports) and future aircraft (studies) |
| aircraft payload | variable |
| climb/descent | not considered, only cruise-phase |
| fuel reserves | can be considered through \(m_2\) |
| alternate airport | can be considered through \(m_2\) |
Warnings
This analytical fuel calculation method represents a simplification of actual flight dynamics. Specifically, this function assumes a flight schedule with constant airspeed and constant lift coefficient, resulting in a cruise-climb. Young (2017) shows this in Section 13.3.3 "Second Flight Schedule":
(...) the airplane must be flown in a way that will ensure that the ratio (...) [of weight to air density] remains constant. This is possible if the airplane is allowed to climb very slowly so that the relative density (...) decreases in direct proportion to the decrease in airplane weight (...).
References
- Young, T. M. (2018). Performance of the Jet Transport Airplane (Section 13.7.3 "Fuel Required for Specified Range"). John Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/9781118534786
- Cavcar, M. (2006). Bréguet range equation?. Journal of Aircraft. doi:10.2514/1.17696
- Range (Aeronautics) entry on Wikipedia
Raises:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
ValueError
|
If the dimensions of the inputs are invalid. |
ValueError
|
If the magnitude of the inputs are invalid (eg. negative). |
Parameters:
| Name | Type | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
R
|
float
|
Range of the aircraft (=mission distance) [distance] |
required |
LD
|
float
|
Lift-to-Drag ratio of the aircraft [dimensionless] |
required |
m_after_cruise
|
float
|
Mass of the aircraft after landing (eg. OEW + Payload + Crew + Reserves) [mass] |
required |
V
|
float
|
Average cruise speed of the aircraft (TAS) [speed] |
required |
TSFC
|
float
|
Average Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption of the aircraft during cruise [time/distance (results from the definition of TSFC)] |
required |
Returns:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
float
|
Required fuel mass [kg] |
Example
import jetfuelburn
from jetfuelburn import ureg
from jetfuelburn.rangeequation import calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet
calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet(
R=2000*ureg.nmi,
LD=18,
m_after_cruise=100*ureg.metric_ton,
V=800*ureg.kph,
TSFC=17*(ureg.mg/ureg.N/ureg.s),
)
Source code in jetfuelburn/rangeequation.py
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calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet_improved ¶
calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet_improved(
R,
LD,
m_after_cruise,
V,
V_headwind,
TSFC,
lost_fuel_fraction=0.0152,
recovered_fuel_fraction=0.001,
)
Given a flight distance (=range) \(R\) and basic aircraft performance parameters (see table), returns the fuel mass burned during the flight \(m_f\) [kg] based on a flight schedule where the lift-coefficient and velocity are constant during cruise ("cruise-climb"), while taking into account headwind effects and fuel losses during takeoff and climb, as well as fuel recovery during descent and landing.
Fuel mass is calculated as:
with
where:
| Symbol | Dimension | Description |
|---|---|---|
| \(m_{f}\) | [mass] | Fuel required for the mission of the aircraft |
| \(m_{LDG}\) | [mass] | Mass of the aircraft after cruise segment |
| \(R\) | [distance] | Range of the aircraft (=mission distance) |
| \(TSFC\) | [time/distance] | Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption of the aircraft during cruise |
| \(g\) | [acceleration] | Acceleration due to gravity |
| \(L/D\) | [dimensionless] | Lift-to-Drag ratio of the aircraft |
| \(V\) | [speed] | Average speed of the aircraft (TAS) |
| \(V_{HW}\) | [speed] | Average speed of headwind component |
| \(\frac{\Delta m_L}{m_{TO}}\) | [dimensionless] | Lost fuel fraction |
| \(\frac{\Delta m_R}{m_{TO}}\) | [dimensionless] | Recovered fuel fraction |
Derivation
Equation 19 in Randle et al. (2011) expresses the fuel mass burned \(m_f\) during a flight of distance \(s\) (=range \(R\)) as a function of the takeoff mass \(m_{TO}\). However, in practical applications, the more relevant known parameter is the landing mass after cruise
\(m_{LDG}\) (= \(m_{after\_cruise}\))
Therefore, the equation is rearranged here to solve for \(m_f\) as a function of \(m_{LDG}\):
Warnings
Unlike the equation in Randle et al. (2011), this function uses mass [kg] instead of weight [N] for the fuel.
Notes
Assumes a lost fuel fraction \(\Delta m_{lost}=0.0152\) and a recovered fuel fraction \(\Delta m_{rec}=0.001\) as per section D of Randle et al. (2011). Values can be adjusted through function parameters.
References
Eqn. 19 in Randle, W. E., Hall, C. A., & Vera-Morales, M. (2011). Improved range equation based on aircraft flight data. Journal of Aircraft. doi:10.2514/1.C031262
Raises:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
ValueError
|
If the dimensions of the inputs are invalid. |
ValueError
|
If the magnitude of the inputs are invalid (eg. negative). |
Example
import jetfuelburn
from jetfuelburn import ureg
from jetfuelburn.rangeequation import calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet_improved
calculate_fuel_consumption_breguet_improved(
R=2000*ureg.nmi,
LD=18,
m_after_cruise=100*ureg.metric_ton,
V=800*ureg.kph,
V_headwind=50*ureg.kph,
TSFC=17*(ureg.mg/ureg.N/ureg.s),
)
Source code in jetfuelburn/rangeequation.py
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calculate_fuel_consumption_stepclimb_arctan ¶
calculate_fuel_consumption_stepclimb_arctan(
R, h, K, C_D0, m_after_cruise, S, V, TSFC
)
Given a flight distance (=range) \(R\) and basic aircraft performance parameters (see table), returns the fuel mass burned during the flight \(m_f\) [kg] based on a flight schedule where aircraft velocity and altitude are constant during cruise.
Fuel mass is calculated as:
with
where:
| Symbol | Dimension | Description |
|---|---|---|
| \(m_{fuel}\) | [mass] | Fuel required for the mission of the aircraft |
| \(R\) | [distance] | Range of the aircraft (=mission distance) |
| \(TSFC\) | [time/distance] | Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption of the aircraft during cruise |
| \(g\) | [acceleration] | Acceleration due to gravity |
| \(V\) | [speed] | Average cruise speed of the aircraft (TAS) |
| \(E_{max}\) | [energy/mass] | Maximum lift-to-drag ratio according to drag parabola |
| \(C_{D_0}\) | [dimensionless] | Zero-lift drag coefficient of the aircraft |
| \(K\) | [dimensionless] | Lift-dependent drag factor of the aircraft |
| \(\rho\) | [mass/volume] | Air density at cruise altitude |
| \(S\) | [area] | Wing reference area of the aircraft |
Derivation
Eqn. 7.43 in Young (2018) expresses the range \(R\) of an aircraft as a function of the takeoff mass \(m_1\) and landing mass \(m_2\) after cruise, as well as the aircraft performance parameters. However, in practical applications, the fuel mass \(m_f\) should be calculated based on the landing mass after cruise \(m_2\).
Starting from the definition of aircraft masses:
The expression for range can be rearranged:
where:
References
Eqn. 7.43 and Eqn. 13.25a ff. in Young, T. M. (2018). Performance of the Jet Transport Airplane. John Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/9781118534786
Example
import jetfuelburn
from jetfuelburn import ureg
from jetfuelburn.rangeequation import calculate_fuel_consumption_arctan
calculate_fuel_consumption_arctan(
R=2000*ureg.nmi,
h=35000*ureg.feet,
K=0.045,
C_D0=0.02,
m_after_cruise=100*ureg.metric_ton,
S=122.6*ureg.meter**2,
V=800*ureg.kph,
TSFC=17*(ureg.mg/ureg.N/ureg.s),
)
Source code in jetfuelburn/rangeequation.py
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calculate_fuel_consumption_stepclimb_integration ¶
calculate_fuel_consumption_stepclimb_integration(
m_after_cruise,
R,
h,
M,
TSFC,
LD,
integration_mass_step=100 * ureg.kg,
)
Given a flight distance (=range) \(R\) and basic aircraft performance parameters (see table), returns the fuel mass burned during the flight \(m_f\) [kg] based on a flight schedule where aircraft velocity and altitude are constant during cruise, while allowing for variable thrust-specific fuel consumption and lift-to-drag ratio as a function of Mach number and altitude.
Fuel mass is calculated through numerical integration of the specific air range (SAR) over the flight distance, using the trapezoidal rule:
where:
| Symbol | Dimension | Description |
|---|---|---|
| \(m_{fuel}\) | [mass] | Fuel required for the mission of the aircraft |
| \(R\) | [distance] | Range of the aircraft (=mission distance) |
| \(h\) | [length] | Cruise altitude of the aircraft |
| \(M\) | [dimensionless] | Mach number during cruise |
| \(TSFC\) | [time/distance] | Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption of the aircraft during cruise |
| \(L/D\) | [dimensionless] | Lift-to-drag ratio of the aircraft during cruise |
| \(a_0\) | [speed] | Speed of sound at sea level |
| \(\Theta\) | [dimensionless] | Temperature ratio at cruise altitude (temperature at cruise altitude divided by temperature at sea level) |
| \(m_i\) | [mass] | Mass of the aircraft at step \(i\) during cruise, starting with \(m_0 = m_{TO}\) and ending with \(m_n = m_{LDG}\) (= \(m_{after\_cruise}\)) |
| \(g\) | [acceleration] | Gravitational acceleration |
Derivation
Equation 19 in Randle et al. (2011) expresses the fuel mass burned \(m_f\) during a flight of distance \(s\) (=range \(R\)) as a function of the takeoff mass \(m_{TO}\). However, in practical applications, the more relevant known parameter is the landing mass after cruise
with the specific air range (SAR) defined as:
with the definition of true airspeed (=velocity) \(V\) and fuel flow rate \(Q\):
which can now be solved through numerical integration, using the trapezoidal rule:
References
Eqn. 13.1aff. and Eqn. 13.28a ff. in Young, T. M. (2018). Performance of the Jet Transport Airplane. John Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/9781118534786
Parameters:
| Name | Type | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
m_after_cruise
|
float
|
Mass of the aircraft after cruise segment (eg. OEW + Payload + Crew + Reserves) [mass] |
required |
R
|
float
|
Range of the aircraft (=mission distance) [distance] |
required |
h
|
float
|
Cruise altitude of the aircraft [length] |
required |
M
|
float
|
Mach number during cruise [dimensionless] |
required |
TSFC
|
float or Callable
|
Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption of the aircraft during cruise, either as a constant value [time/distance] or as a function of Mach number and altitude. |
required |
LD
|
float or Callable
|
Lift-to-drag ratio of the aircraft during cruise, either as a constant value [dimensionless] or as a function of lift, Mach number and altitude. |
required |
integration_mass_step
|
float
|
Mass step for numerical integration [mass]. A smaller step will yield a more accurate result, but will also increase computation time. Default is 100 kg. |
100 * kg
|
Returns:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
Quantity[mass]
|
Required fuel mass [kg] |
Raises:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
ValueError
|
If the dimensions of the inputs are invalid. |
ValueError
|
If the magnitude of the inputs are invalid (eg. negative). |
Example
import jetfuelburn
from jetfuelburn import ureg
from jetfuelburn.rangeequation import calculate_integrated_range
calculate_integrated_range(
m_after_cruise=100*ureg.metric_ton,
R=2000*ureg.nmi,
h=35000*ureg.feet,
M=0.78,
TSFC=17*(ureg.mg/ureg.N/ureg.s),
LD=18,
)
Source code in jetfuelburn/rangeequation.py
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