Effects of Wind on Aircraft Cruise Performance

Analytic expressions are developed that predict the improvements in range, flight time, and fuel consumption that can be achieved by appropriate corrections to the no-wind best-range airspeed. Input data required are type of power plant, no-wind best-range airspeed, and magnitude of the headwind or tailwind component. Application of these expressions to a series of typical aircraft, ranging from a wide-body turbofan to a single-engine piston-prop, shows that the possible fuel savings are such that the effects of wind on fuel consumption might warrant more consideration in flight planning.