Aircraft Battery Calculator
Professional aviation battery calculator for aircraft electrical systems. Calculate battery capacity, weight requirements, certification compliance, and emergency power specifications for aviation applications.
How to Use the Aircraft Battery Calculator
Aircraft Specifications
Enter your aircraft type, electrical system voltage, total load, and operating conditions. Consider all electrical systems including avionics, lighting, instruments, and accessories for accurate capacity calculation.
Emergency Power Analysis
Define critical vs. non-critical systems and emergency scenarios. Calculate backup power requirements for various failure modes and flight phases to ensure safety compliance.
Certification Compliance
Verify battery specifications meet aviation standards (FAA TSO, EASA ETSO) for your aircraft class and installation location. Ensure proper safety ratings and environmental compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the FAA requirements for aircraft battery installations?
FAA requires aircraft batteries to meet TSO-C173 standards, including thermal runaway protection, fire containment, and proper ventilation. Batteries must be secured against 25g ultimate load factors and protected from hazardous quantities of gas venting. Installation must comply with Part 23 or Part 25 regulations depending on aircraft category, with proper circuit protection and emergency procedures documented in the flight manual. Maintenance intervals and inspection requirements must be established per manufacturer specifications.
How do I calculate emergency power requirements for different aircraft systems?
Emergency power calculation involves identifying essential vs. non-essential electrical loads. Essential systems typically include flight instruments, navigation equipment, communication radios, and emergency lighting. Calculate total power draw in worst-case scenarios (maximum electrical load), add 25% safety margin, and size battery for minimum 30-60 minutes operation depending on aircraft class. Consider power factor, inverter efficiency if AC loads present, and temperature derating at altitude. Different flight phases may require different emergency power profiles.
What factors affect aircraft battery performance at altitude and temperature extremes?
Battery capacity decreases significantly at low temperatures - typically 20-40% reduction at -20°C compared to room temperature. High altitude reduces air density affecting cooling, while temperature extremes (-40°C to +70°C) stress battery chemistry. Lithium batteries perform better in cold but require thermal management. Lead-acid and NiCd batteries are more temperature stable but heavier. Consider cabin heating effects, altitude certification limits, and thermal runaway protection. Size batteries with 25-50% capacity margin for extreme conditions and ensure proper thermal insulation and ventilation.