Fuel calculation

[kingsak]

What's the best way to calculate the best fuel load / burn?
It just seems that on alot of flights, I'm using WAY too much fuel.
I haven't completely ran out yet, but I've landed on fumes even on relativly short flt's.
(Currently using FS98, if that matters.)

kingsak@yahoo.com

[neilcook_as174]

what aircraft? Piston prop? Turbo-prop? Jet?

[kingsak]

The most recent; A300 w/ over 22,000 gal. fuel from MTCH - SBSV @ FL340. Aprox. 2850nm.

[neilcook_as174]

Could be due to several factors, such as headwinds, excessive speed/throttle opening, weight and balance.

If you're engaging autopilot once you have a positive rate of climb, which is what happens in reality, including the auto-throttle at 280 knots indicated through to 30,000', then adjusting auto-throttle settings from knots to a mach setting of .82%, you should by rights be achieving close to real fuel consumption. If you're not, then your flight model is clearly faulty.

[kingsak]

Thanks.
I do suspect the flight models on some a/c as I think that some that ppl. upload are more concered with how the a/c looks, but I'm not ready to start foolin' around with .air files yet.

What would proper throttle setting be?
I usually try to stay between 80-95% during cruise.
Maybe aim a little lower? or will that cause too much alt. lose?

[neilcook_as174]

you need to maintain a reasonable mach factor while at altitude. as I say, .82 mach would be a safe median. What throttle setting you need to maintain that factor is largely irrelevant

[kingsak]

I guess I should learn more about that.
I don't believe that I've EVER used the Mach spd. settings!
That's probably my main problem.
My FMC gauges & FS Navigator give est. fuel but they are usually WAY off the mark. Hmmm....