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Block Time Calculator

Work out block time instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Block Time Calculator

Block time runs from chocks off to chocks on, so it is airborne time plus taxi out, taxi in and any holding allowance. It is the figure used for crew pay, aircraft utilisation, schedule building and direct operating cost, which is why it always exceeds flight time.

Formula

Block time

Block = airborne + taxi out + taxi in + holding allowance

Worked example

With the default values below, Block Time Calculator returns Block time of 121. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Airborne time
95 min
Taxi out
14 min
Taxi in
7 min
Holding allowance
5 min

Results

Block time
121 min
Block time
2.02 h
Total ground time
21 min
Airborne share of block time
78.5% %

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Block time
  3. 3Block time= 121 min
  4. 4Block time= 2.02 h
  5. 5Total ground time= 21 min
  6. 6Airborne share of block time= 78.5 %

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is block time the costing basis?

Crews are on duty and the aircraft is unavailable for the whole block period, so costs and utilisation accrue over block hours, not just airborne hours.

Why do short sectors look inefficient?

Because 20 minutes of taxi is a large share of a 40 minute flight, pushing block fuel and block cost per mile up sharply.

Related Calculators

Block Time Calculator – Calculate Block time & Block time