How is maximum range speed defined in relation to endurance speed?

Maximum range speed is defined as the speed that an aircraft should fly to achieve the greatest distance traveled relative to the amount of fuel consumed, often referred to as fuel efficiency in terms of distance. This speed is slightly higher than the best endurance speed because endurance speed is focused on maximizing time in the air or the time the aircraft can stay aloft on a given amount of fuel, which generally relates more to a slower speed to conserve fuel.

The best endurance speed minimizes fuel burn over time, allowing the aircraft to stay airborne for a longer duration. In contrast, maximum range speed is optimized for covering the maximum distance per unit of fuel, necessitating a speed that balances fuel consumption rate with the distance covered—hence, it is faster than the endurance speed. Understanding this balance is crucial for pilots and flight planners to ensure efficient flight operations while considering factors like altitude, air density, and aircraft configuration, which can influence these speeds.