Which of the following is NOT a factor in fuel consumption rate calculations?

The fuel consumption rate of an aircraft is influenced by several key factors related to the aircraft's performance and operating conditions. Among these, distance covered is not generally considered a direct factor in calculating fuel consumption rate. Instead, fuel consumption rate is typically expressed in terms of the amount of fuel burned per hour at a given configuration and operation, which means it is more about the specific conditions under which the aircraft operates rather than the total distance it travels.

Factors like altitude affect air density, which in turn can influence engine performance and fuel burn. Weight is crucial as it determines the power required for flight; heavier aircraft typically require more fuel. True airspeed impacts the drag on the aircraft and can also affect fuel consumption, as an increase in speed often results in increased drag and fuel burn.

Since the fuel consumption rate is usually measured in terms of time rather than distance, the actual distance covered becomes a secondary factor in the context of calculating how efficiently the aircraft uses fuel.