How Does Aircraft Refueling Work: Refueling an aircraft differs significantly from refueling a car. Unlike the simple process of plugging in a hose, pumping gas, and paying the attendant, refueling a plane is a far more intricate task. Given its substantial size and inherent complexity, aircraft refueling requires specialised procedures and expertise.
Fueling is a crucial step that takes place prior to almost every flight. This standardised and uncomplicated procedure plays a vital role in ensuring the airlines’ punctuality and on-time performance. Uncover key insights on the process of fueling airliners.
How Does Aircraft Refueling Work
Generally, fuel providers at airports employ specialised fuel trucks that are designed to fit underneath or beside the wings of aircraft. The experienced driver connects the hose to the wing, allowing for the seamless pumping of kerosene at a rapid pace of 634 gallons per minute (2,400 liters per minute). This efficient refueling process typically spans from 15 to 20 minutes, ensuring the aircraft is promptly refueled and ready for its next flight.
An aircraft is conventionally refueled at a speed of 1,000 liters per minute. However, wide-body aircraft possess the advantage of being able to undergo refueling with the use of two hoses simultaneously, enabling a pumping rate exceeding 2,000 liters per minute.
Communicating Fuel Loads
The first step in fueling is to liaise with the fuel contractor to establish the required amount for the upcoming flight. Most airlines delegate fueling responsibilities to independent operators based at the airport, who also offer lavatory and maintenance services in addition to fuel services.
Fuelers usually receive the fuel load for a domestic flight approximately 45 to 60 minutes prior to departure. In certain situations, the pilots directly inform the fueling agency about the amount of kerosene needed. This practice is familiar to general aviation and corporate pilots, while airline pilots typically do not engage in direct communication with the fuelers, except for exchanging greetings during the pre-flight inspection.
FBO Services
Regional airlines typically establish agreements with fixed-base operators (FBOs) at regional airports to ensure a steady fuel supply for their limited number of daily flights. In such cases, fuel trucks are employed instead of traditional underground pipelines. Since many smaller regional airports were not initially designed for airline operations and their daily demand does not justify the installation of underground delivery systems, fuel trucks serve as an efficient alternative. These trucks have a capacity ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 gallons of fuel and are equally efficient in refueling operations.
When Refueling Takes Place?
Generally, refueling takes place during the transition period between passengers disembarking and boarding the aircraft. This careful arrangement guarantees that, in the event of any untoward incident, only the essential crew members are on board the plane. Moreover, the crew implements anti-static devices as an additional safety measure to mitigate the risk of sparks.
To avoid any risk of electrostatic discharge in the piping, it is crucial to connect the fuel-truck to the aircraft, ensuring that their electrostatic potentials are matched accurately during the fueling process.
Where is Fuel Stored On An Aeroplane?
As you may have observed, airplanes have limited space for passengers, cargo, and personal belongings. This begs the question: How do airlines store massive amounts of petrochemicals?
The solution lies within the wings. Positioned at the heart of the aircraft, the centre tank serves as the focal point of gravity in most instances. Additionally, two auxiliary tanks are typically located on each wing, stretching almost to the very edges.
Ground Refueling Tanks
It should be noted that trucks are occasionally not utilised, and airports may have ground refueling tanks resembling a large gas station. Typically, airplanes are loaded with sufficient fuel for a single leg of their journey (along with emergency fuel) to maintain a light weight. In most cases, it is highly likely that an aircraft can refuel at its destination, or in the worst-case scenario, land and refuel at one of the numerous airports worldwide.
Inoperative Fuel Intake System
Fueling becomes more challenging when the fuel intake system is not functioning properly. Although it is not a common occurrence, airplanes can still be cleared for takeoff even with inoperative fuel intakes, as long as fueling is conducted from above the wing. In such cases, fuelers carry out a manual procedure known as “gravity fueling.” To ensure the correct amount of fuel is loaded, maintenance professionals utilise magnetic level indicators located on the underside of the wing to measure the fuel level.
Fueling operations are often overlooked, yet fuel agents are consistently present upon the arrival of planes, efficiently carrying out their duties amidst the busy airport environment. The significance of fuelers’ responsibilities cannot be emphasised enough.
Safety Measures
Safety is a top concern for fueling agents. They take precautions by using wheel chocks on the fuel truck (if necessary) and grounding the aircraft to prevent static electricity from igniting the fuel. Every type of aircraft, from Cessnas to Boeings, has a designated grounding point for connection. In addition, the fueler operates a deadman switch while fueling is underway, ensuring that if they release it, the fueling process stops immediately.
After implementing necessary safety precautions, the fueler is granted access to the refueling panel. Depending on the aircraft, refueling can take place from either the right wing, left wing, or both. Although each plane may have its unique specifications, the majority of airplanes possess a simple intake system that enables fuelers to input the required amount of fuel and automatically shuts off the valve once the necessary quantity is loaded. Advanced aircraft are often equipped with the capability to distribute fuel among their tanks, whereas planes with numerous auxiliary and trim tanks necessitate the pilots to open crossfeed valves.
Conclusion
- The fueling of airliners is a vital and standardised procedure that plays a crucial role in ensuring on-time performance. Typically, this responsibility is entrusted to independent fuel contractors.
- Regional airports frequently depend on fixed-base operators (FBOs) and fuel trucks for their supply, rather than utilising underground pipes, to cater to the needs of airlines.
- Safety is crucial, with steps such as grounding the airplane, utilising a deadman switch, and managing specific fuel intake systems.
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