I am still a rookie when it comes to aviation concepts, but this game has me learning a ton! I even have a scheduled day to go up with my IRL buddy in a Cesna 172 for the first time ever! I am thrilled to be along for the ride.
Anyhow, I had a question about fuel consumption as it pertains to cruise speed. Is cruise speed the “ideal” speed for fuel consumption? I find myself drinking fuel like water in some of my favorite planes, like the m339, Spitfire and such. I assume this is because I am blasting along at full throttle? How does altitude come into the mix?
Those aircraft will use fuel at a prodigious rate. I’ve heard it said that the P-47 (Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp) could use 100 gallons of fuel before ever getting airborne. Don’t know if that’s true, but 2800 cubic inches and 18 cylinders probably makes for a Thirsty Girl!
Altitude absolutely plays a part in fuel burn, especially if you’re flying a turbine-powered aircraft. Jets tend to do better at higher altitudes, and burn lots of fuel down low.
Have fun with your flight in the C172… those are so much fun, and no wing in the way of the scenery!
That would have an impact on fuel consumption for sure.
As @Seven7Tango alluded, each aircraft has a Pilots Operating Handbook that contains charts that provide power settings and fuel flow targets to achieve max endurance, max range and normal cruise. As altitude changes, so does air density. The fuel to air ratio required for complete combustion does not change. In piston driven aircraft there is a mixture control that must be adjusted as altitude changes to maintain that fuel/air mix.
Get your buddy to demonstrate the proper way to adjust mixture when you go flying and it will give you more of an appreciation. And… Have Fun!
