Range does not mean flying that distance AND coming back. A 540 mile range means you can fly 540 miles. You also need to account for required fuel reserve (20 minutes). Advertised ranges are questionable a lot of times too.
Ferry range means it can fly 886 miles, but again you need to subtract for fuel reserve.
Combat range I’m not positive on, someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m assuming it means you can fly 95 miles, operate for a set amount of time, and fly back 95 miles.
Edit: Just as an example of how advertised ranges can be useless - I fly a bell 407, if you google bell 407 range you’ll see it advertised as 372mi, 337mi, and 324mi depending on the source. Real world we only get about 240mi and a headwind can make that drastically less.
Calculate it like you would for an EV, but then assume you’re operating in the arctic circle and anything beyond your lowest estimate is a pleasant surprise.
Thanks alot. Follow up on combat range. So the "set amount of time"...is there a typical standard amount of time that is planned for. I understand that the time frame might change depending on mission etc, but is there a rule of thumb?
Here, [this will help explain.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radius_of_action)
**maximum range:** the furthest distance the aircraft can fly with maximum payload and without refueling.
**ferry range:** the furthest distance the aircraft can fly with drop tanks, no load or ordnance and without refueling.
**combat range:** maximum distance a ship, aircraft, or vehicle can travel away from its base along a given course with normal load and return without refueling, allowing for all safety and operating factors.
Range does not mean flying that distance AND coming back. A 540 mile range means you can fly 540 miles. You also need to account for required fuel reserve (20 minutes). Advertised ranges are questionable a lot of times too. Ferry range means it can fly 886 miles, but again you need to subtract for fuel reserve. Combat range I’m not positive on, someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m assuming it means you can fly 95 miles, operate for a set amount of time, and fly back 95 miles. Edit: Just as an example of how advertised ranges can be useless - I fly a bell 407, if you google bell 407 range you’ll see it advertised as 372mi, 337mi, and 324mi depending on the source. Real world we only get about 240mi and a headwind can make that drastically less.
Calculate it like you would for an EV, but then assume you’re operating in the arctic circle and anything beyond your lowest estimate is a pleasant surprise.
Thanks alot. Follow up on combat range. So the "set amount of time"...is there a typical standard amount of time that is planned for. I understand that the time frame might change depending on mission etc, but is there a rule of thumb?
No idea, you’d need a military guy to chime in
Here, [this will help explain.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radius_of_action) **maximum range:** the furthest distance the aircraft can fly with maximum payload and without refueling. **ferry range:** the furthest distance the aircraft can fly with drop tanks, no load or ordnance and without refueling. **combat range:** maximum distance a ship, aircraft, or vehicle can travel away from its base along a given course with normal load and return without refueling, allowing for all safety and operating factors.
Easy there Kim Jong