What is the main difference between an aircraft's range and endurance?

The primary distinction between an aircraft's range and endurance lies in their definitions related to operational performance. Range refers to the total distance an aircraft can fly on a given amount of fuel, reflecting how far it can travel from takeoff to landing. This is influenced by factors such as aircraft speed, fuel efficiency, and weight.

Endurance, on the other hand, measures the duration of time an aircraft can remain airborne on a fixed amount of fuel. This is critical for missions that prioritize time spent in the air rather than the total distance covered. It represents how long an aircraft can stay up and perform its operations before needing to refuel.

Understanding this difference is essential in aviation, particularly in mission planning and operational strategy, where knowing whether to maximize distance or time is a key factor.