Aviation & Aeronautics
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Maximum Endurance (jet)

Longest time aloft for a jet, maximized at maximum L/D.

Formula

E=1cLDln⁡WiWfE = \dfrac{1}{c}\dfrac{L}{D}\ln\dfrac{W_i}{W_f}

Variables

EEndurance
cSpecific fuel consumption
L/DLift-to-drag
W_i,W_fWeights

Example

A jet stays airborne longest when flown at its maximum lift-to-drag ratio.

Did You Know?

To stay airborne longest, a jet flies for minimum drag, not maximum speed.

endurancejetperformance