CONFIDENTIAL

M11 – AERO, AIRFRAME, STRUCTURE AND SYSTEM

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FUEL SYSTEM
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Requirements
All powered aircraft depend for their operation on the
continuous flow of uncontaminated fuel under all operating
conditions.
The weight of the fuel constitutes a good percentage of the
total weight of the aircraft.
This may range from about 10% of the gross weight of small
personal aeroplanes, to more than 40% of the gross weight
for some business jet aircraft used on long overseas flights.
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The fuel systems must be designed to prevent the ignition

of fuel vapours by lightning. A gravity feed system must be
able to flow 150% of the takeoff fuel flow when the tank
contains the minimum fuel allowable, and when the
aeroplane is positioned in the attitude that is most critical
for fuel flow.
A pump feed fuel system must be able to flow 125% of the
takeoff fuel flow required for a jet engine.
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Fuel Identification

Aircraft and engine manufacturers designate approved fuels

for each aircraft and engine. Consult manufacturer data and
use only those fuel specified therein.
The use of dyes in fuel helps aviators monitor fuel type. 100LL
AVGAS is the AVGAS most readily available and used in the
United States.It is dyed blue. Some 100 octane or 100/130
fuel may still be available, but it is dyed green.
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Turbine Engine Fuels

Aircraft with turbine engines use a type of fuel different

from that of reciprocating aircraft engines. Commonly
known as jet fuel, turbine engine fuel is designed for use in
turbine engines and should never be mixed with aviation
gasoline or introduced into the fuel system of a
reciprocating aircraft engine fuel system.
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Fuel Quantity Indicating Systems

All aircraft fuel systems must have some form of fuel
quantity indicator. These devices vary widely depending on
the complexity of the fuel system and the aircraft on which
they are installed. Simple indicators requiring no electrical
power were the earliest type of quantity indicators and are
still in use today. The use of these direct reading indicators
is possible only on light aircraft in which the fuel tanks are in
close proximity to the cockpit. Other light aircraft and larger
aircraft require electric indicators or electronic capacitance
type indicators.
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Fuel Flowmeters
A fuel flow meter indicates an engine’s fuel use in
real time. This can be useful to the pilot for
ascertaining engine performance and for flight
planning calculations. The types of fuel flow meter
used on an aircraft depends primarily on the power
plant being used and the associated fuel system.
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Fuel Temperature Gauges

As previously mentioned, monitoring fuel temperature can
inform the pilot when fuel temperature approaches that
which could cause ice to form in the fuel system, especially
at the fuel filter.
Many large and high-performance
turbine aircraft use a resistance type
electric fuel temperature sender in a
main fuel tank for this purpose. It can
display on a traditional ratio meter
gauge or can be input into a computer
for processing and digital display.
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Fuel Pressure Gauges

Monitoring fuel pressure can give the pilot early warning of
a fuel system related malfunction. Verification that the fuel
system is delivering fuel to the fuel metering device can be
critical. Simple light reciprocating-engine aircraft typically
utilize a direct reading Bourdon tube pressure gauge.
It is connected into the fuel inlet of the fuel metering device
with a line extending to the back of the gauge in the cockpit
instrument panel.
A more complex aircraft may have a sensor with a transducer
located at the fuel inlet to the metering device that sends
electrical signals to a cockpit gauge.
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Fuel Feed System

The fuel feed or supply means the fuel that is
transported to the engines and the auxiliary power unit
(APU). The feed system includes the following parts:
 fuel pumps
 check valves
 fire shut-off valves
 crossfeed system consisting of crossfeed manifolds
and crossfeed valves.
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Cross-Feed System
 each engine is fed from its own tank.
 If the fuel supply of a main tank to its engine
stagnates, opening the crossfeed valves causes the
crossfeed system to be put under pressure.
 Via this system the fuel is transported from another
main tank to the engine concerned.
 A number of crossfeed manifolds and crossfeed
valves have been installed for the functioning of this
system. Of course, systems differ from type to type.
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Fuelling Procedures
1. Make sure of the grade and quantity required.
2. Make sure the fueller or system contains the correct
grade and quantity required.
3. Check the fueller tank sumps for water before fuelling.
4. Drain if necessary.
5. Approach the aircraft carefully. Try to position the fueller

so that it can be quickly driven or pulled away in case of

emergency. Avoid backing up to the aircraft; if absolutely
necessary, have someone guide you from a position
near the rear of the fueller. Set the brake.
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Fuelling Procedures
6. Bond and ground the aircraft and equipment in the
proper sequence - fueller to ground, then fueller to aircraft.
7. Nozzles should never be propped open while fuelling A/C
8. Nozzles must never be dropped or dragged across the
pavement.
9. Nozzle dust caps should be installed immediately after
fuelling.
10. Leaving a filler cap off an aircraft fuel tank can be very
dangerous. Never open a cap until you are actually ready
to fuel that specific tank, then lock it and close the flap
immediately after fuelling. Before leaving the wing,
recheck each filler cap.