PDA

View Full Version : weight reduction versus fuel saving formula?


Dimbleby
13th Apr 2007, 19:44
Not sure if I have titled this thread correctly, and not even sure if I am posing the question correctly, but here goes.

Take an aircraft - any aircraft, but I will use a 737.

A 737 weighs X kg. Given that weight X, - and if say 100kg was majically shaved off it, what would be the saving in fuel over say the expected lifespan of the aircraft (lets say 30 years but it dosent really matter). Is there a universal formula or rule of thumb?

Tech oriented civvy asked and all I could think of was comparing ff at weight x, versus ff at weight (x - 100kg), X timespan/hours flown.:8

CaptainSandL
13th Apr 2007, 21:22
Very approximately…

Trip Fuel Reduction = Weight reduction x Flight time in hrs x 3.5%
Daily Trip Fuel Reduction = 100kg x 10hrs x 3.5% = 35kg/day
Annual TFR = 35kg * 350days = 12,250kg

Given a 25 year lifespan = 306,250kg

Dimbleby
13th Apr 2007, 23:18
Captain.

Much appreciated and sounds good enough for Dimbleby to avoid overt embarrasment.

Thanks again!:)

math
15th Aug 2013, 17:40
Hi dear,
I was wondering if you could provide me the sources (studies, etc.) on this relation between weight mitigation and fuel savings.
Thank you in advance.
Best regards

compressor stall
16th Aug 2013, 02:19
http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/Documents/fuel/airbus_fuel_economy_material.pdf

Have a read and sort out the maths for your questions yourself :ok:

math
16th Aug 2013, 16:55
hi compressor stall, thank you very much for the document. It will be useful !