4 ms·
I hope to hear actual pilots chiming in, but from first principles: It shouldn't be a large factor. Drag is independent of mass, and while lifting the fuel to
by Filligree 7y ago
I hope to hear actual pilots chiming in, but from first principles:
It shouldn't be a large factor. Drag is independent of mass, and while lifting the fuel to cruising altitude takes energy, most of the flight should ideally be cruising.
The rocket equation doesn't apply; that's for an entirely different regime.
- skykooler 7y agoWhile drag is "independent" of mass, the lift required to maintain level flight is affected by weight, and drag is affected by lift. A heavier airplane will absolutely require more power to cruise.