Power Required Calculator

Calculate power required for steady level flight and find optimum performance speeds.

Typical: 0.020-0.030 for clean aircraft
Typical: 0.7-0.85
Wingspan² / Wing Area
Typical: 0.75-0.85

Power Equations

Thrust Horsepower:

THP = (Drag x Velocity) / 550

Brake Horsepower:

BHP = THP / Propeller Efficiency

Best Endurance Speed:

V = 0.76 x V(L/D max)

Propeller vs Jet

  • Best Range (Prop): Fly at max L/D speed
  • Best Endurance (Prop): Fly at min power speed
  • Best Range (Jet): Fly at max L/D speed
  • Best Endurance (Jet): Fly at min drag speed