AINsight: The Goldilocks Approach to Aircraft Fuel Planning | Aviation International News

AINsight: Goldilocks Approach to Aircraft Fuel Planning

How to calculate an aircraft fuel load that is just right

HKBAC line service technician fueling aircraft — Hong Kong Business Aviation Center has expanded the availability of sustainable aviation fuel in Asia.

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

January 22, 2026

Preflight fuel planning and proper en-route fuel management are critical to flight safety. For pilots, calculating the correct amount of fuel for their aircraft requires a balance between comfort, operational requirements, and economic sense. It’s the proverbial Catch-22—too much or too little fuel has consequences.

Too much fuel may result in an aircraft exceedance such as maximum takeoff or landing weight, and it reduces the available payload. Likewise, excess fuel increases the weight of the aircraft, which creates a higher fuel burn and increases the direct operating cost of a flight.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

Contributor - Safety

About the author

Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.

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