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VFR vs. IFR range

  • Thread starter Thread starter saviboy
  • Start date Start date
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saviboy

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2003
Posts
506
Hi
VFR range is usually provided in the description data of executive jets.
E.G.: Lear 45 VFR range:2200 NM Vs. IFR range: 1710 NM
I am not sure why the manufacturer would provide the VFR range since you need to get an IFR clearance above 18000 feet.(unless provided as a marketing incentive)
Also, I know the National Business Aviation Association but whats NBAA IFR range.

thanks
 
saviboy said:
Hi
VFR range is usually provided in the description data of executive jets.
E.G.: Lear 45 VFR range:2200 NM Vs. IFR range: 1710 NM
I am not sure why the manufacturer would provide the VFR range since you need to get an IFR clearance above 18000 feet.(unless provided as a marketing incentive)
Also, I know the National Business Aviation Association but whats NBAA IFR range.

thanks

When selling ANY airplane, the farther you can claim it will fly, the better off you'll be. Plus, the number they give is under "optomistic" conditions we seldom see, ie. ISA days, climb straight to altitude, fly perfect book numbers, descend directly to landing, no holding, speed restrictions, weather or delays of any type. Every operator will properly adjust range values to reflect "real world" operations.

Most aircraft today will come within a few hundred miles of stated sales claims but a conservative view must be kept.

2000Flyer
 
It's marketing. With a quick read of a brochure, that VFR figure is going to be the best range number and selling point. Here is what the NBAA IFR reserve # means:
"The Business and Commercial Aviation Planning and Purchasing Handbook as
well as other publications use the NBAA Range Format in depicting aircraft
performance. The intent of the Range Format was to provide a standard for
prospective aircraft purchasers to use in comparing the performance of
various aircraft.

The NBAA Range Formats has a profile describing a trip on a "real-life"
basis.

For example, trips include a missed approach and a flight to an alternate
airport. The origin-to-destination segment may use up to three step climbs
to higher altitudes, at the manufacturer's discretion. All altitudes and
speeds for origin to destination are the optimum for the aircraft involved.
The optimum altitude and best fuel speed are used for the destination to
alternate stage.

Many aircraft manufacturers state in their advertising that an aircraft has
an NBAA IFR/VFR fuel reserve of a certain number of pounds. The NBAA IFR
Reserves is defined as the route of flight in the profile that begins at the
"K-L" leg and goes through to the end of the flight profile. This is where
the aircraft begins its missed approach to divert to an alternate.

The "K-L leg" of the profile is a 200 NM distance that is done at an optimum
rate of climb to 5,000' after missed approach, holding for 5 minutes at
loiter power for clearance, optimum rate of climb enroute to optimum cruise
altitude, economy cruise to alternate, and then a descent enroute to Sea
Level at 3,000 feet per minute max and land. Upon landing, fuel reserve
should meet IFR minimums as appropriate for loitering at 5,000 feet.

You can find the NBAA Range Formats in Appendix D of the NBAA Management
Guide at http://web.nbaa.org/member/ops/adm/mgmtguide/appendixD/."
 

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