The default 737-800 in FSX consumes fuel at nearly twice the rate it should. This issue can be fixed by adjusting the thrust-specific fuel consumption, which is a measure of how much fuel is consumed for a given amount of thrust. The default value of 0.6 in the aircraft.cfg is comparable to early low-bypass turbofans like the Rolls Royce Spey and JT8Ds, but the real consumption is much lower and depends on the chosen thrust rating. Three engine options are available for the 737-800, each with different weight restrictions: the CFM56-7B24, CFM56-7B26, and CFM56-7B27.
What You'll Learn
- The default 737 consumes fuel twice as fast as it should
- Modifying the fuel flow scalar does not adjust the predicted fuel usage
- The thrust-specific fuel consumption is way off
- The 737-800 has three engine options with different weight restrictions
- The CFM56-7B26 engine option offers the most extra thrust and payload
The default 737 consumes fuel twice as fast as it should
To fix this issue, you can modify the fuel flow scalar, which controls the rate at which fuel is consumed. However, this does not adjust the predicted fuel usage in the nav log/flight planner.
To accurately fix the issue, you need to adjust the thrust-specific fuel consumption value in the aircraft.cfg file. This value should be based on the engine type and thrust rating you choose for your 737. For example, if you choose the CFM56-7B24 engine, which is best suited for short-haul flights with full passenger loads from runways exceeding 8,000 ft, you should set the thrust-specific fuel consumption to 0.37.
It's important to select the appropriate engine and thrust rating for your specific use case and adjust the thrust-specific fuel consumption value accordingly. This will ensure that your 737 consumes fuel at the correct rate and that your fuel usage predictions in the nav log/flight planner are accurate.
Remember to always conduct thorough research and consult expert advice before making any modifications to your flight simulation settings or files.
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Modifying the fuel flow scalar does not adjust the predicted fuel usage
For example, the default 737-800 has a thrust-specific fuel consumption of 0.6 in the aircraft.cfg file, which is as fuel-efficient as early low-bypass turbofans like the Rolls-Royce Spey and JT8Ds. However, the real consumption is much lower.
To fix this issue, you can change the thrust-specific fuel consumption value in the aircraft.cfg file to match the correct engine option for the 737-800. There are three engine options to choose from, each with different weight restrictions:
- CFM56-7B24: This option has a slightly lower fuel consumption than the other variants and is best used on short-haul flights with full passenger loads from runways exceeding 8,000 ft.
- CFM56-7B26: This option offers a lot of extra thrust and payload and is probably the recommended option.
- CFM56-7B27: This option has an extra 1000 lbs of thrust and a minimal payload increase. It is recommended for short-field performance or 'hot and high' operations.
By selecting the appropriate engine option and updating the thrust-specific fuel consumption value, you can ensure that the predicted fuel usage in the nav log/flight planner is accurate.
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The thrust-specific fuel consumption is way off
The default 737-800 consumes fuel twice as fast as it should, despite having the correct fuel tank sizes and a fuel flow scalar of 1. While many people modify the fuel flow scalar to fix this, it does not adjust the predicted fuel usage in the nav log/flight planner.
The thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC) is a measure of how efficient an engine is, and it is way off for the default 737-800. The TSFC is defined as the mass of fuel burned by an engine in one hour, divided by the thrust that the engine produces. In other words, it is the fuel flow rate required to generate a certain amount of thrust.
The default value for the TSFC in the 737-800 is 0.6, which is as fuel-inefficient as early low-bypass turbofans like the Rolls Royce Spey and JT8Ds. The real consumption is much lower and depends on the chosen thrust rating.
The 737-800 has three engine options, each with different weight restrictions:
- CFM56-7B24: This option has a slightly lower fuel consumption than the other variants, making it best for short-haul flights with full passenger loads from runways exceeding 8,000 ft.
- CFM56-7B26: This option offers a lot of extra thrust and payload, making it a good middle ground.
- CFM56-7B27: This option provides an extra 1000 lbs of thrust and a minimal payload increase, making it suitable for short-field performance or 'hot and high' operations.
By selecting one of these engine options and updating the TSFC value accordingly, you can fix the issue of incorrect fuel consumption in the default 737-800.
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The 737-800 has three engine options with different weight restrictions
The 737-800 has three engine options, each with different weight restrictions:
- CFM56-7B24: This engine option is ideal for short-haul flights with full passenger loads from runways exceeding 8,000 ft. It has a slightly lower fuel consumption than other variants and a max gross weight of 155,500 lbs.
- CFM56-7B26: This option offers a balance between thrust and payload, making it suitable for various operational needs. It has a max gross weight of 172,500 lbs.
- CFM56-7B27: This engine provides an extra 1,000 lbs of thrust with a minimal increase in payload. It is recommended for short-field performance or "hot and high" operations and has a max gross weight of 174,200 lbs.
These engine options for the 737-800 provide different weight restrictions and performance characteristics, allowing operators to choose the one that best suits their specific requirements.
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The CFM56-7B26 engine option offers the most extra thrust and payload
The CFM56-7B26 engine option is the best choice for those seeking extra thrust and payload capacity. This engine variant offers a significant boost in performance, providing up to 26,300 static thrust and an increased max gross weight of 172,500. This additional thrust and payload capacity make it an excellent choice for those needing that extra power and carrying capacity.
The CFM56-7B26 is a powerful engine option for the 737-800, delivering exceptional performance capabilities. It is worth noting that the 737-800 has three engine options to choose from, each with varying weight restrictions. The other two options are the CFM56-7B24 and the CFM56-7B27.
The CFM56-7B24 is the default engine for the 737-800 and is best suited for short-haul flights with full passenger loads from runways exceeding 8,000 ft. It has a slightly lower fuel consumption rate than the other variants, making it a fuel-efficient choice for these specific operations.
On the other hand, the CFM56-7B27 offers an extra 1,000 lbs of thrust and a minimal payload increase. This engine option is recommended for short-field performance or "hot and high" operations.
The CFM56-7B26, however, strikes a perfect balance between the two. It provides a substantial increase in thrust and payload capacity, making it a versatile choice for various operations. This engine option can handle higher weights and deliver the extra power needed for demanding missions.
The CFM56-7B series, in general, offers improved durability, an 8% fuel burn improvement, and a 15% reduction in maintenance costs compared to its predecessor, the CFM56-3. These engines are known for their dependability, with an average time on the wing of 30,000 hours before the first shop visit.
The CFM56-7B26, being the middle ground option, is an excellent choice for operators seeking enhanced performance and flexibility. It is a recommended configuration, providing ample thrust and payload capacity to meet a wide range of operational needs.
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Frequently asked questions
You can modify the fuel flow scalar, but this won't adjust the predicted fuel usage in the nav log/flight planner. To fix this, you can adjust the thrust-specific fuel consumption in the aircraft.cfg file.
The default 737 consumes fuel almost twice as fast as it should.
The correct consumption depends on the engine option chosen. The three options are the CFM56-7B24, CFM56-7B26, and CFM56-7B27, each with slightly different consumption rates.
The CFM56-7B24 has a max gross weight of 155,500 and an empty weight of 91,300. The CFM56-7B26 and CFM56-7B27 have higher max gross weights of 172,500 and 174,200, respectively, but the same empty weight as the CFM56-7B24.
It's important to add an hour reserve and 15 to 25 percent extra fuel for taxi and climb.