Definition
Optional fuel tanks installed in an aircraft, in addition to the standard tanks, that increase total fuel capacity and therefore the distance the aircraft can fly before refueling. They may be built into the wings, added as tip tanks, or fitted in the fuselage, depending on the aircraft model.
Plain English
Extra fuel tanks fitted to an aircraft so it can carry more fuel and fly farther without stopping.
Context Anchor
Seen in weight and balance loading graphs when selecting the correct fuel-tank option for the airplane being loaded.
Why Pilots Care
They directly affect weight-and-balance calculations, takeoff performance, and the ability to complete longer flights safely.
Intuition Check
Long range tanks do not mean the airplane can always take off with full fuel. They mean the airplane can hold more fuel, and the pilot still must check whether that fuel weight fits within the airplane’s limits.
Example Sentence 1
The aircraft was equipped with long range tanks, so the pilot used the corresponding fuel loading line on the weight and balance graph.
Example Sentence 2
With long range tanks installed, the aircraft's calculated range increased by 250 nautical miles.