In-Flight Fuel Calculation

[mlegein]

What method are you using to check your fuel situation throughout a flight? Say I'm cruising at FL390 somewhere over the ocean. How do I calculate whether I have enough fuel to make it to my destination? What I do is divide the remaining NM by my current Groundspeed to compute the number of hours remaining and multiply this by my current FuelFlow. Is there a more scientific approach? I guess I 've been spoiled with FMS equipped aircraft where you can instantly get your estimated fuel at destination at the press of a button.

[BarryTheAviator]

"<!--QuoteBegin-mlegein+Aug 15 2005, 04:36 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mlegein @ Aug 15 2005, 04:36 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->What method are you using to check your fuel situation throughout a flight? Say I'm cruising at FL390 somewhere over the ocean.  How do I calculate whether I have enough fuel to make it to my destination?  What I do is divide the remaining NM by my current Groundspeed to compute the number of hours remaining and multiply this by my current FuelFlow.  Is there a more scientific approach? I guess I 've been spoiled with FMS equipped aircraft where you can instantly get your estimated fuel at destination at the press of a button. [right][snapback]4704[/snapback][/right] <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> If you are using FSFlightKeeper and you have installed the panel gauge the Airports > Destination option will give you a pretty good estimate of touchdown fuel (need to scroll down) at your destination. Otherwise your method is as good as any for a ""quick & dirty"" estimate. To be more accurate need to get winds aloft data, make allowance for step climbs etc."