Aviation fuel is one of the essential needs for flight operations. They are petroleum-based fuel or a mixture of petroleum and synthetic fuel that is operated to power aircraft.
They have more stringent needs than fuels operated for land use, such as heating and road transport, and contain additives to enhance or support properties necessary to fuel performance or handling. Modern aviation fuels are special for their specific energy or power per unit mass. Aviation fuel’s high energy storage ability is what enables long-distance flights.
Aviation fuel operated in both civil and military aircraft is jet fuel
Specific energy is a necessary criterion in selecting fuel for an aircraft. In current times, the great majority — approx 99 percent — of aviation fuel operated in both civil and military aircraft is jet fuel. There is only a small quantity of aviation gasoline is used in small aircraft.
Types of aviation fuel:
There are various types of aviation fuel that are available worldwide. Commercial planes, private jets, and general aviation aircraft widely use Jet fuel and AVGAS.
- Jet Fuel: It is a colorless, fine kerosene-based kind of fuel. It is operated for airplanes with turbine engines. It is understood in two types: Jet A and Jet A1. Difference between Jet A and Jet A1 Despite the difference in manufacturing specifications between the two Jet Fuel types, both can be operated interchangeably to work turbine-engines airplanes.
The primary differences between Jet A and Jet A1 are the Freezing points:
- Jet A freezing point is -40°C, while Jet A1 freezes at -47°. The lower freezing point of Jet A1 makes it more suitable for international long-haul flights, particularly the ones on polar routes. Additives: Jet A does not regularly include static dissipater additives. Jet A1 primarily contains static dissipater additives. Jet A is primarily operated in the US, while Jet A1 is more common in the rest of the world.
AVGAS: It is known as aviation gasoline, or AVGAS.
It is the kind of aviation fuel that powers little piston-engine airplanes. These airplanes are usually worked by flying clubs, flight training jets, and private pilots. AVGAS is the only available fuel that even manages charges of tetraethyl lead additive. AVGAS also includes two types: AVGAS 100 and AVGAS 100LL. The 100 in both types refers to the octane rating.
Difference between AVGAS 100 and AVGAS 100LL:
The key difference between both types is the percentage of the included tetraethyl lead additive. AVGAS 100 has heightened lead content, while AVGAS 100LL (low lead) has low pieces of tetraethyl lead. AVGAS 100 is dyed green, whereas AVGAS 100LL is dyed blue.
There are different types of Aviation fuel too.
They are operated in extreme climate conditions or special conditions. TS-1: Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States especially depend on this type of fuel. TS-1 has a low freezing point of -50° C. Jet B: It is a light mixture of about 30 percent kerosene and 70 percent gasoline.
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NATO air forces and the US military
This type of airplane fuel is essential in extremely cold countries like Canada and Alaska. JP-8: It is an aviation fuel that mostly works military aircraft, specifically NATO air forces and the US military.
It is equal to Jet A1. JP-5: It is a yellow, kerosene-based aircraft fuel that normally uses military aircraft fueling. It is a complex combination of hydrocarbons, including naphthene and alkanes.
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
This fuel is a game-changer in the aviation sector. It is an eco-friendly alternative to regular aircraft fuels. The other types of regular aviation fuel contribute to the increase of global warming and weather change because of their high rates of CO2 emission. It is evolving more in need.
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