How much fuel would be consumed during a normal climb from engine start to a pressure altitude of 12,000 feet, given the aircraft weight is 3,700 lb and temperature is 21 °C?

To determine the fuel consumption during a normal climb to a pressure altitude of 12,000 feet, several factors must be considered, including the aircraft's weight, the altitude being reached, and the environmental conditions such as temperature.

For an aircraft weighing 3,700 pounds, the fuel consumption in a climb can be predicted based on typical climb fuel flow rates. Fuel flow rates can vary based on the aircraft type and engine efficiency, but for a general small commercial or general aviation aircraft, a rate around 1 to 1.5 pounds per minute is common during a normal climb.

In this scenario, reaching a pressure altitude of 12,000 feet may typically take around 10–15 minutes, depending on the ascent rate. Given that the climb time to this altitude is estimated, the fuel flow could be calculated. If we assume a useful average fuel flow of about 4 to 5 pounds per minute during typical climbing conditions, the climb time might allow for a total fuel consumption of approximately 40 to 52 pounds when you multiply the rate by the climb time.

When analyzing the answer choices, 46 pounds stands out as a reasonable estimate when rounded off based on average values and conditions typical of light aircraft. It falls within the range