Fundamentals & conversions
Flight planning calculations rely on consistent units, air/ground distance relationships, and a shared vocabulary of fuel and operational terms.
Nautical air miles vs ground miles
Section titled “Nautical air miles vs ground miles”Mach number and speed of sound
Section titled “Mach number and speed of sound”VHF radio range
Section titled “VHF radio range”Mass and volume conversions
Section titled “Mass and volume conversions”| Conversion | Factor |
|---|---|
| kg → lb | × 2.205 |
| lb → kg | × 0.454 |
| Imp gal → litres | × 4.546 (or × 4.55 in key notes) |
| USG → lb | × 6 |
| USG → litres | × 3.7852 |
| lb → Imp gal | ÷ (10 × SG) — not in CAP |
Key acronyms
Section titled “Key acronyms”| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ERA | En-Route Alternate |
| MAPt | Missed Approach Point |
| SEP | Single Engine Piston |
| MEP | Multi Engine Piston |
| MRJT | Medium Range Jet Transport |
| SG | Specific Gravity (1.0 for water) |
| EOBT | Estimated Off Blocks Time |
| ATFM | Air Traffic Flow Management |
| PDP | Pre-Determined Point |
| DP | Decision Point |
| PET / CP | Point of Equal Time / Critical Point |
| PSR / PNR | Point of Safe Return / Point of No Return |
| FPR | Fuel Price Ratio |
| TTCAFA | Trip + Taxi + Contingency + Alternate + Final Reserve + Additional |