I am looking for a few volunteers to help me with testing every aircraft once Global is released to map the fuel burn at every stage of flight with specific weight settings. The purpose of this is to create a better formula of expected fuel burn that is specific to the algorithm the FDS uses with fuel burn in Global. This would allow every pilot to have an out of app spreadsheet that would be able to accurately calculate expected fuel burn and provide an IF specific fuel planner that is easy for every IF user to use. Eventually I would look into tying the data calculated into the an app that would automatically be able to give you fuel needs between the airport you are departing from to the airport you are flying to in the aircraft you are flying at a specific load. This would project would be a massive undertaking with a large amount of Independent variables in the controlled setting (0 winds, 0 gusts, no turbulence).
I have already created the spreadsheet with the IVs incorporated and the MTOW of ever aircraft in the simulator. This would be an ongoing project that would update flight models are updated in IF and new aircraft added as well.
I will NOT be taking any Global Alpha Testers or Beta Testers for this project as I want to have them maintain focus on helping FDS with Global. This is an independent project not endorsed by FDS in any manner. I would only allow Global Alpha and Beta testers to participate if FDS Staff and Development team give them formal permission to participate.
Notice: This would require paying attention to the entire flight on your device, something that may be diffficult for some older devices once Global is released.
Maybe including the link to the spreadsheet would help give a better understanding of what Im going at. Im looking for calculating Fuel Flow at each portion of the flight tracking it as weight decreases from fuel burn.
It is much more helpful than a simple spreadsheet though. This system, would take a very long amount of time, and takes in no weather or wind variables.
I agree with @schyllberg I registered to look at it and it is not as straight forward for someone to figure out. There is definitely a learning curve with it. This sheet would be the first step into creating an easy algorithm, it is not the end goal. I just need help compiling the data as it is a lot of data to collect.
I am using no winds to get a control. Since this is an experiment to I need a control setting where weather would not affect the result.
Well, if you really want to do this…
Message a developer (Phillipe or Laura) presenting your idea and if they feel it is necessary, they will grant you an API key and if you ask nicely, could even give you the exact values ;)
Yeah, that sounds like the best way to go about it for now. FAA requires you to carry an extra half an hour plus flight time to the closest alternate anyway. You’re not an airline that needs to make money, so you can carry all the extra fuel you want.
That’s only part of the equation. 1/2 hour is for day. If operating in night or IFR conditions 45mins of fuel is needed to be carried as well as the fuel to the alternate of choice.
A fuel planner is relatively simple, and doesn’t even really require the API - unless you want to automatically load fuel and take readbacks. Team up with more experienced coders if you need help. There are also loads of online courses to help you get to grips with it.