How much does this affect an aircraft range? I assume the mechanism is that lighter aircraft needs less lift, and less lift means less drag, less drag - less power on the engines - less fuel consumption - more range.
I somehow always thought that more weight of an aircraft lessened its range almost only because it needs much more power to take off and gain a cruising altitude.
I somehow always thought that more weight of an aircraft lessened its range almost only because it needs much more power to take off and gain a cruising altitude.