What are the three basic fuel tank designs?
Aircraft typically use three types of fuel tanks: integral, rigid removable, and bladder. Integral tanks are areas inside the aircraft structure that have been sealed to allow fuel storage. An example of this type is the “wet wing” commonly used in larger aircraft.
Where is the fuel tank on a small plane?
Most general aviation aircraft store fuel in the wings. If the fuel supply is lower than the engine, as in a low-wing airplane, fuel must be pumped to the engine—but for high-wing designs such as the Cessna 120, gravity feeds fuel from the wings to the engine.
What are the expansion space requirements for an aircraft fuel tank?
Each fuel tank must have an expansion space of not less than 2 percent of the tank capacity. It must be impossible to fill the expansion space inadvertently with the airplane in the normal ground attitude.
What is the minimum expansion space required for fuel tanks?
Each fuel tank must have an expan- sion space of not less than two percent of the tank capacity, unless the tank vent discharges clear of the airplane (in which case no expansion space is re- quired).
What are the various standards to be considered for fuel tank installations?
Some physical requirements for each compliant tank include:
- Secondary containment.
- Overfill protection.
- Leak detection.
- Standard and emergency vent.
- Liquid level gauge (clock type is preferred)
- Adequate lighting (for nighttime detection of leaks)
- Spill kit.
How are the various types of fuel tanks chosen in an aircraft?
There are various basic types of fuel tanks designed for use in aircraft. The specific type chosen when designing the aircraft is a result of the available technology at the time the aircraft was designed, the size and shape of the tank area, and the types of operations for which the aircraft is designed.
What is the size of an airplane fuel tank?
A small plane can have a fuel capacity of 4000–5000 liters, a mid-sized plane can have 26000–30000 liters, a wide-body jet can have 130000–190000 liters, and a very large jumbo jet can have 200000 liters to 323000 liters. Consider the fuel capacity of a large plane like the Airbus A380.
Why are fuel tanks in the wing?
The weight of the fuel provides rigidity to the wing, thereby reducing wing flutter (vibration of the wings due to the airflow). Large flutter is so hazardous that it can even result in total collapse of the wing. Thus, storing fuel in the wings is an exceptionally wise decision which keeps aircraft flying!
How are fuel tanks vented Cessna?
The fuel vent line on most Cessna single engine aircraft attaches to a check valve inside the tank to prevent fuel from flowing out of the vent line, but this valve has a weep hole that allows some fuel to pass to prevent pressurization of the fuel tanks.
What is Fuel tank expansion space?
What fuel is used in small aircraft?
Avgas
Avgas (aviation gasoline) is used by small aircraft, light helicopters and vintage piston-engined aircraft. Its formulation is distinct from the conventional gasoline (UK: petrol, or “aviation spirit” in this context) used in motor vehicles which is commonly called mogas or autogas in aviation context.
What are the basic fuel system requirements?
The engine fuel system must supply fuel to the engine’s fuel metering device under all conditions of ground and air operation. It must function properly at constantly changing altitudes and in any climate. The most common fuels are AVGAS for reciprocating engines and Jet A for turbine engines.
How much fuel does a small plane use?
Gas and Oil The average small plane fuel burn rate is five-to-10 gallons per hour. Aviation fuel is significantly more expensive than typical automotive fuel, averaging $5 dollars per gallon.
Which fuel tank is used first in aircraft?
center tank fuel
On two- and four-engine airplanes, center tank fuel and auxiliary tank fuel are generally used first. Once these tanks are empty, fuel is used from the wing tanks.
What are aircraft fuel tanks made of?
They typically are made from 3003 or 5052 aluminum alloy or stainless steel and are riveted and seam welded to prevent leaks. Many early tanks were made of a thin sheet steel coated with a lead/tin alloy called terneplate. The terneplate tanks have folded and soldered seams.
Why does a pilot drain a small amount of fuel from each sump before each flight?
It’s purpose is to check if water has gotten into the fuel tanks. There are many ways which water can enter a fuel tank: Heavy rain , an unsecured fuel cap, fuel contamination are some of them.