There is no greater concern among pilots and airplane owners today than the cost of fuel. Prices vary widely from airport to airport, but $5 is often on the low end and $7 a gallon is not the top. And in many instances jet fuel costs more than avgas, a reversal of traditional pricing. Fuel costs for most airplane owners have doubled in the past year and nobody can predict future trends, but higher prices sure seem more likely than lower.
What Is the Most Fuel-Efficient Airplane?
Key Takeaways:
- Rising fuel costs are making fuel efficiency a top priority for pilots, which is measured by "specific range" (miles per pound of fuel) and involves inherent tradeoffs between speed, comfort, and mission suitability.
- Piston aircraft efficiency is largely pilot-controlled, with significantly greater gains at lower speeds, while turbine efficiency is more complex, influenced by factors like altitude, temperature, weight, and aerodynamic phenomena such as critical Mach.
- Aircraft designers constantly make tradeoffs, as desired features like larger cabins, higher speeds, and longer range typically work against fuel efficiency, though ongoing aerodynamic and engine advancements continue to improve specific range, especially in jets.
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