Author Topic: Fuel Calculator  (Read 803 times)

Offline Helm

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Fuel Calculator
« on: September 06, 2009, 10:07:26 AM »
   My wish would be for a very basic fuel calculator in the hanger. Nothing fancy just one that would show how long a plane would fly at 100% RPM and Throttle, with the load you have selected. 

  This would be a huge help to new players.  How many times have you seen some poor rookie w/ 100% and 2 DT's in a P51?  The poor guy has enough fuel to fly the entire weekend!  No wonder he can't turn

  This would also be a help to veterans.  I like to bounce around from plane to plane and I can't tell you how many times I have upped with entirely too much fuel, because I did not know that plane very well.  Over time I have made some flight data cards for my favorite planes....but something in the hanger sure would be nice.

   I would say my #1 flaw as a player of this game is carrying too much fuel.

    Just a suggestion Hitech.



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Offline TheAce

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2009, 10:26:05 AM »
 :aok
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Offline onan

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2009, 10:44:00 AM »
Hi,
The E6B on your clipboard contains all the info you might need.  If you get used to using it while on the runway it will tell you how long you'd be able to fly for and range etc..
Takes 2 secs to bring it up for a glance.

Offline Saxman

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2009, 10:59:50 AM »
Onan,

The point he's making is for people unfamiliar with an aircraft it would be helpful to get an idea of what it's endurance is WITHOUT needing to actually take off. This would be ESPECIALLY useful for FSO and scenarios. On several occasions I've seen guys hauling DTs around in planes that just don't need them (IE, F4U-1s and 1As during the North Sea and Bougainville campaigns) or CiCs assigning aircraft that DON'T HAVE THE RANGE to a target objective (been on the receiving end of such an assignment myself. It's not fun).

However I'd be happy with not having to re-open E6B on EVERY sortie. Couldn't it be possible to allow it to stay open after you've towered out?
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Offline moot

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2009, 11:03:36 AM »
The calculator would have to account for altitude.
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Offline Stoney

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2009, 11:10:26 AM »
The calculator would have to account for altitude.

And that is why we can't have one.  Specific fuel consumption varies with altitude on supercharged planes, and only stays constant on turbo planes up to critical altitude.  There'd really be no way to determine the actual consumption rate.
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Offline kvuo75

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2009, 11:23:30 AM »
print this up. its a 1 page pdf.

a chart i compiled some time ago of all endurances with and without droptanks.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=344eb1213358affa00d27174b47c6657e04e75f6e8ebb871


as others point out, it is not exact, due to altitude. but I still find it handy. oh.. and i didnt even bother with the jets :)

« Last Edit: September 06, 2009, 11:28:03 AM by kvuo75 »
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Offline bj229r

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2009, 01:11:00 PM »
From within the hangar you can access a speed chart and climb rate chart (both with fixed weights) Oughtn't be too hard to add a chart showing gallons per hour or aloft time  based upon max internal fuel load, (on the horizontal) with altitude on the vertical...I think I'm picturing this correctly
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Offline Helm

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2009, 01:19:11 PM »
And that is why we can't have one.  Specific fuel consumption varies with altitude on supercharged planes, and only stays constant on turbo planes up to critical altitude.  There'd really be no way to determine the actual consumption rate.


Make it based on 5k then?....some information ...even slightly wrong information.... would be better then no information ...put a disclaimer on the calc....calculations are based on this X altitude?

...just giving some ideas


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Offline dkff49

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2009, 02:19:08 PM »
I like this idea. Maybe it could be displyed in chart form based on items selected. the chart would show maybe time in the horizontal and altitude in the verticle.

Nothing they should would be % accurate but I agree that anything would be helpful.
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Offline chewie86

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2009, 02:37:22 AM »
print this up. its a 1 page pdf.

a chart i compiled some time ago of all endurances with and without droptanks.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=344eb1213358affa00d27174b47c6657e04e75f6e8ebb871


as others point out, it is not exact, due to altitude. but I still find it handy. oh.. and i didnt even bother with the jets :)

+10 kvuo! 
I've been using his PDF for a while and it helps a lot!!  Really nice work.
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Offline kvuo75

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2009, 02:17:42 AM »
+10 kvuo! 
I've been using his PDF for a while and it helps a lot!!  Really nice work.


ty chewie.. i think you're the only one i've gotten feedback from on it LOL!

I think only 1 or 2 of my own squaddies use it!


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Offline mechanic

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2009, 04:23:50 AM »
The calculator would have to account for altitude.

And that is why we can't have one.  Specific fuel consumption varies with altitude on supercharged planes, and only stays constant on turbo planes up to critical altitude.  There'd really be no way to determine the actual consumption rate.



No different than looking at E6B on the runway at around sea level and having to judge your range based on how high you want to fly. To get the range at 10k you actualy have to climb to 10k and look at e6b. Perhaps if we had a fuel calculator in the hanger you could set the altitude 0k-5k-10k-15k-etc.

Just as a neutral thought while reading. My personal opinion is that I don't really need this wish at all but dont see any reason why it could not be added in theory.
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Offline Lusche

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2009, 04:55:29 AM »
I've been using his PDF for a while and it helps a lot!!  Really nice work.


It surely very helpful for the new and majority of casual AH pilots!  :aok
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Offline John Curnutte

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Re: Fuel Calculator
« Reply #14 on: September 10, 2009, 10:08:42 PM »
 I need to say we use Kvuo75's brilliant work on our squad ops and FSO , and mission stuff and its rock solid . More folks should use it , its handy simple and effective for planning and duration .
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