Originally Posted by
Dr. HFH
Why not list aircraft "range" in terms of the number of hours it can fly on a full tank? At least it could list that relatively accurately and more precisely.
Because, like you said, there are other factors in play. And even the definition of "full tank" or "hours it can fly" depends on the type of aircraft and/or how you load it: some are limited by fuel volume, others are limited by weight. So can you have different cases, like:
a) aircraft that have reached their MTOW (Maximum take off weight) but still have volume for fuel but in this case they traded distance/fuel for payload;
b) aircraft that have reached their fuel volume but the number of hours it can fly on this full tank is higher than normal because they are not carrying a big payload;
c) etc..