How much AvGas would an aircraft use to reach a pressure altitude of 12,000 feet if the weight is 3,700 lbs at sea level?

To determine how much AvGas an aircraft would use to reach a pressure altitude of 12,000 feet, it is essential to consider the aircraft's fuel consumption, which can be roughly estimated based on its weight and the distance to be covered.

At sea level, the aircraft weight is 3,700 lbs, and during climb, fuel burn rate typically increases as the aircraft needs more power to overcome gravity and friction. Generally, an average general aviation aircraft burns about 8-12 gallons of AvGas per hour, depending on numerous factors including engine type and aerodynamic efficiency.

If we assume a more stable rate of fuel consumption for a climb to a pressure altitude around 12,000 feet, estimating around 10 gallons for the entire climb is practical. This makes the selection of 10 gallons a realistic approximation for fuel use under normal climbing conditions assuming a steady and sustained climb rate, which aligns with the expected performance of many general aviation aircraft.

This estimation provides a sufficiently reasonable range of fuel burn for that altitude and weight, aligning accurately with operational expectations for most light aircraft flying under these conditions.