Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX) Performance Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Resource to Master Your Aviation Success!

To determine the number of pounds of AvGas required to travel 350 nautical miles (NM) in day VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions, it is important to consider the fuel consumption rate specific to the aircraft in question, as well as the distance to be traveled.

When calculating fuel requirements for an aircraft, the first step is to know the aircraft's fuel burn rate, typically stated in gallons per hour (GPH). This is influenced by factors such as the aircraft's weight, altitude, speed, and configuration.

For example, if the aircraft burns 10 gallons of fuel per hour and is cruising at an average speed of 140 knots, the flight time to cover 350 NM can be calculated as follows:

1. Flight time = Distance / Speed

- Flight time = 350 NM / 140 knots ≈ 2.5 hours.

2. Fuel consumption = Fuel burn rate × Flight time

- Fuel consumption = 10 GPH × 2.5 hours = 25 gallons.

Next, to convert gallons of AvGas to pounds, it is essential to know the weight of fuel. AvGas weighs approximately 6 pounds per gallon. Therefore:

3. Total weight of fuel = Fuel consumption × Weight