Definitions

Payload: The amount an aircraft can carry, in pounds, in addition to the pilot and fuel. Calculations are based on three hours of fuel for airplanes and two hours of fuel for helicopters.

Range: The maximum distance an aircraft can travel between refuelings, assuming it takes off with full tanks and lands with one hour of reserve fuel. For helicopters, calculations are based on 30 minutes of reserve fuel.

Takeoff Distance: The distance in which an aircraft can safely take off, calculated at gross weight and sea level.

Aircraft

The rating scale on this page compares desirable aircraft qualities, using only the JAARS fleet as a point of reference. To learn more about each rating category, please see the "Definitions" box on the lower left-hand side of this page.