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Flight Time Formula:
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Flight time calculation estimates the duration of a flight based on the great circle distance between two points and the aircraft's cruise speed. This is essential for flight planning, fuel management, and scheduling.
The calculator uses the fundamental flight time formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula provides the basic flight time without accounting for factors like wind, taxi time, or air traffic delays.
Details: Accurate flight time estimation is crucial for airline operations, pilot planning, passenger scheduling, fuel calculation, and regulatory compliance. It helps optimize flight routes and ensure safe operations.
Tips: Enter great circle distance in kilometers and cruise speed in kilometers per hour. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator provides estimated flight time in hours.
Q1: What is great circle distance?
A: Great circle distance is the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere, following the curvature of the Earth.
Q2: Why doesn't this match actual flight times?
A: Actual flight times include taxi time, climb/descent phases, air traffic delays, and wind conditions which aren't accounted for in this basic calculation.
Q3: What are typical cruise speeds for commercial aircraft?
A: Most commercial jets cruise at 800-950 km/h, while smaller aircraft may cruise at 300-600 km/h.
Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a theoretical minimum time. Real-world flights typically take 10-20% longer due to various operational factors.
Q5: Can I use this for international flight planning?
A: Yes, but professional flight planning should consider additional factors like wind patterns, airspace restrictions, and alternate airport requirements.