The average helicopter can fly for about 2-3 hours before needing to refuel. However, some helicopters can fly for up to 6 hours if they are carrying extra fuel tanks. The longest recorded flight by a helicopter was over 24 hours!
How to calculate helicopter fuel consumption?
In order to calculate helicopter fuel consumption, you will need to know the following information:
-The average speed of the helicopter
-The fuel capacity of the helicopter
-The rate of fuel consumption for the helicopter
With this information, you can then use the following formula to calculate fuel consumption:
Fuel Consumption (in gallons) = Average Speed (in miles per hour) x Fuel Capacity (in gallons) x Rate of Fuel Consumption (in gallons per hour)
For example, let's say that you have a helicopter that has a fuel capacity of 30 gallons and a rate of fuel consumption of 2.5 gallons per hour. If you want to know how much fuel this helicopter will consume in an hour of flight time, you would use the following calculation:
Fuel Consumption (in gallons) = 150 miles per hour x 30 gallons x 2.5 gallons per hour = 1,875 gallons
Factors that affect helicopter fuel consumption
The range of a helicopter is affected by many factors, the most important of which is fuel consumption. The amount of fuel a helicopter consumes depends on its weight, the type of engine, and the operating conditions.
Weight: The heavier the helicopter, the more fuel it will consume.
Engine Type: Turbine engines are more fuel efficient than piston engines.
Operating Conditions: The weather and terrain can have a big impact on how much fuel a helicopter uses. Hot and high conditions will cause the engine to work harder and burn more fuel.
How to extend the range of a helicopter?
Helicopters are able to fly for long distances, but their range can be limited by fuel capacity and the need to refuel. There are a few ways to extend the range of a helicopter:
1. Use auxiliary fuel tanks: These can be used to increase the fuel capacity of the helicopter and therefore its range.
2. Use larger main fuel tanks: This will also increase the fuel capacity and range of the helicopter.
3. Refuel in mid-flight: This can be done with a special refueling system that allows the helicopter to refuel while in flight. This is typically only done on long-distance flights or when there is no safe place to land and refuel.
4. Fly at higher altitudes: This will help to conserve fuel as the air is thinner at higher altitudes and therefore requires less power to fly through it.
