Fuel Uplift Calculator

Flight Plan Fuel Burn (FPFB) in kg:

Maximum Allowable Landing Weight (MALW) in kg:

Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) in kg:

Fuel Already On Board (FAOB) in kg:

Calculate

Fuel Uplift (MFUL) in kg:

The Fuel Uplift Calculator is an essential tool for pilots and flight planners to determine the amount of fuel needed to be added to the aircraft before departure. Accurate fuel planning ensures that the aircraft carries the optimal amount of fuel, considering the weight limitations and the fuel required for the journey. This calculation helps avoid both underfueling and overfueling, leading to more efficient flights.

Formula

The formula to calculate fuel uplift is:

Fuel Uplift (MFUL) = (Flight Plan Fuel Burn (FPFB) + Maximum Allowable Landing Weight (MALW)) − Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) − Fuel Already On Board (FAOB).

Where:

• FPFB is the amount of fuel expected to be burned during the flight, in kilograms.
• MALW is the maximum allowable weight the aircraft can have when landing, in kilograms.
• ZFW is the weight of the aircraft without any fuel, in kilograms.
• FAOB is the amount of fuel already on the aircraft, in kilograms.
• MFUL is the fuel uplift required, in kilograms.

How to Use

1. Enter the flight plan fuel burn (FPFB) in kilograms.
2. Input the maximum allowable landing weight (MALW) in kilograms.
3. Enter the zero fuel weight (ZFW) in kilograms.
4. Enter the fuel already on board (FAOB) in kilograms.
5. Click the “Calculate” button to get the fuel uplift required in kilograms.

Example

Let’s say your flight requires a fuel burn of 20,000 kg (FPFB), the maximum allowable landing weight (MALW) is 60,000 kg, the zero fuel weight (ZFW) of the aircraft is 50,000 kg, and you already have 5,000 kg of fuel on board (FAOB). Using the formula:

Fuel Uplift = (20,000 + 60,000) − 50,000 − 5,000 = 25,000 kg.

So, you need to uplift 25,000 kg of fuel.

FAQs

1. What is fuel uplift?
   Fuel uplift refers to the amount of fuel that needs to be added to an aircraft’s fuel tanks before a flight.
2. Why is it important to calculate fuel uplift?
   Accurately calculating fuel uplift ensures that the aircraft has enough fuel for the flight while staying within weight limitations and fuel safety margins.
3. What is the Flight Plan Fuel Burn (FPFB)?
   FPFB is the amount of fuel expected to be consumed during the flight from departure to arrival.
4. What is Maximum Allowable Landing Weight (MALW)?
   MALW is the maximum weight an aircraft can have when landing, which includes the weight of the aircraft, passengers, cargo, and any remaining fuel.
5. What is Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW)?
   ZFW is the weight of the aircraft without any fuel, including the weight of passengers, cargo, and crew.
6. What is Fuel Already On Board (FAOB)?
   FAOB is the amount of fuel already in the aircraft’s tanks before the fuel uplift.
7. How does fuel uplift affect aircraft performance?
   Fuel uplift affects the aircraft’s total weight, which in turn affects performance parameters like takeoff distance, cruising altitude, and fuel efficiency.
8. What happens if the fuel uplift is too high?
   Overfueling can cause the aircraft to exceed its maximum allowable weight limits, leading to inefficiencies or unsafe conditions during takeoff or landing.
9. What happens if the fuel uplift is too low?
   Underfueling could result in insufficient fuel to complete the flight safely, potentially requiring an unscheduled refueling stop or worse.
10. Can this calculator be used for all types of aircraft?
    Yes, this calculator can be used for most aircraft types, provided you have the necessary inputs like fuel burn, landing weight, and fuel on board.
11. What units does the calculator use?
    The calculator uses kilograms (kg) for all inputs and outputs.
12. How does the flight distance affect fuel uplift?
    Longer flights typically require more fuel uplift due to the increased fuel burn over a longer distance.
13. Does weather affect the amount of fuel uplift?
    Yes, adverse weather conditions like strong headwinds or storms can increase fuel consumption, so pilots often uplift more fuel in such cases.
14. What role does the aircraft’s fuel efficiency play in the calculation?
    More fuel-efficient aircraft may require less fuel uplift because they burn less fuel during the flight.
15. What if the aircraft’s weight exceeds the Maximum Allowable Landing Weight (MALW)?
    If the aircraft exceeds MALW, it may need to burn more fuel in-flight or offload cargo or passengers to reduce weight before landing.
16. Why is FAOB (Fuel Already On Board) subtracted from the calculation?
    FAOB is subtracted because it is fuel that the aircraft already has, so only the additional fuel required (uplift) needs to be calculated.
17. Can I use this calculator for refueling in mid-flight (air-to-air refueling)?
    This calculator is designed for pre-flight fuel uplifts on the ground, but similar principles can apply to air-to-air refueling, depending on the situation.
18. How often should fuel uplift calculations be performed?
    Fuel uplift calculations should be done before every flight to ensure the aircraft carries the correct amount of fuel for the flight.
19. Can this calculator be used for private jets?
    Yes, private jets, commercial airliners, and cargo planes all follow the same basic principles of fuel uplift calculation.
20. How does altitude affect fuel consumption?
    Fuel consumption generally decreases at higher altitudes due to lower air resistance, so fuel planning often includes optimal altitude considerations.

Conclusion

The Fuel Uplift Calculator is an essential tool for flight planning and ensuring safe and efficient flight operations. By calculating the exact amount of fuel needed before departure, pilots and flight planners can optimize fuel usage, minimize unnecessary weight, and ensure enough fuel is available for the journey. This simple calculator helps make complex calculations quick and easy, improving flight efficiency and safety.