What is trip fuel also known as?

Trip fuel refers specifically to the amount of fuel required for the actual flight from the departure airport to the destination airport, including the necessary reserves to safely account for unforeseen circumstances during the flight. This term is often synonymous with sector fuel, as it reflects the fuel expended solely for the operational segment of the journey that has been planned.

In aviation, understanding the definitions and distinctions of various types of fuel is crucial for accurate planning and weight and balance calculations. Sector fuel is considered the amount needed for the flight segment itself, without additional allowances for diversions or contingencies, which aligns with the concept of trip fuel.

Contingency fuel, on the other hand, is extra fuel allocated for unexpected delays or unforeseen circumstances, which is not part of the trip fuel calculation. Block fuel encompasses total fuel from engine start-up to engine shut-down, combining trip fuel with all other variations such as taxi fuel and reserve fuel. Diversion fuel refers to the fuel necessary to reach an alternate airport if needed, which is additional to the trip fuel.

Thus, trip fuel is also known as sector fuel due to its direct relation to the planned flight segment. Understanding these terms aids in effective fuel management and operational safety.