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Do fuel tanks in an aircraft have a priority in which they should be used?
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Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft? Is there a sequence of priority? Or the pilot decides?
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aircraft-performance fuel-tanks fuel-systems
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Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft? Is there a sequence of priority? Or the pilot decides?
Thank you.
aircraft-performance fuel-tanks fuel-systems
edited 3 hours ago
Steve V.
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up vote
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Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft? Is there a sequence of priority? Or the pilot decides?
Thank you.
aircraft-performance fuel-tanks fuel-systems
edited 3 hours ago
Steve V.
14.1k464129
asked 5 hours ago
TestUser
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Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft? Is there a sequence of priority? Or the pilot decides?
Thank you.
aircraft-performance fuel-tanks fuel-systems
aircraft-performance fuel-tanks fuel-systems
edited 3 hours ago
Steve V.
14.1k464129
asked 5 hours ago
TestUser
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edited 3 hours ago
Steve V.
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asked 5 hours ago
TestUser
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edited 3 hours ago
Steve V.
14.1k464129
edited 3 hours ago
Steve V.
14.1k464129
edited 3 hours ago
Steve V.
14.1k464129
14.1k464129
asked 5 hours ago
TestUser
162
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TestUser is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 5 hours ago
TestUser
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asked 5 hours ago
TestUser
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162
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@RalphJ Thank you Ralph J.
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Welcome to Av.SE!
– Ralph J
4 hours ago
@RalphJ Thank you Ralph J.
– TestUser
4 hours ago
Welcome to Av.SE!
– Ralph J
4 hours ago
Welcome to Av.SE!
– Ralph J
4 hours ago
@RalphJ Thank you Ralph J.
– TestUser
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@RalphJ Thank you Ralph J.
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3 Answers
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up vote
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Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered 4 hours ago
Terry
31.9k583158
Thank you for inform.
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3 hours ago
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There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered 4 hours ago
757toga
5,0801030
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
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Yes ! When you are filling up the aircraft and u use the Centre thank , it then means that the pilot has to use the Centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 tanks are selected and he keeps checking to make sure he’s balancing them out according to the manufactures procedure .
answered 20 mins ago
frank ifi
1
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered 4 hours ago
Terry
31.9k583158
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered 4 hours ago
Terry
31.9k583158
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered 4 hours ago
Terry
31.9k583158
Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered 4 hours ago
Terry
31.9k583158
answered 4 hours ago
Terry
31.9k583158
answered 4 hours ago
Terry
31.9k583158
answered 4 hours ago
Terry
31.9k583158
31.9k583158
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered 4 hours ago
757toga
5,0801030
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered 4 hours ago
757toga
5,0801030
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered 4 hours ago
757toga
5,0801030
There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered 4 hours ago
757toga
5,0801030
edited 3 hours ago
answered 4 hours ago
757toga
5,0801030
answered 4 hours ago
757toga
5,0801030
answered 4 hours ago
757toga
5,0801030
5,0801030
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
Thank you for inform.
– TestUser
3 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Yes ! When you are filling up the aircraft and u use the Centre thank , it then means that the pilot has to use the Centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 tanks are selected and he keeps checking to make sure he’s balancing them out according to the manufactures procedure .
answered 20 mins ago
frank ifi
1
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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up vote
0
down vote
Yes ! When you are filling up the aircraft and u use the Centre thank , it then means that the pilot has to use the Centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 tanks are selected and he keeps checking to make sure he’s balancing them out according to the manufactures procedure .
answered 20 mins ago
frank ifi
1
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Yes ! When you are filling up the aircraft and u use the Centre thank , it then means that the pilot has to use the Centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 tanks are selected and he keeps checking to make sure he’s balancing them out according to the manufactures procedure .
answered 20 mins ago
frank ifi
1
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Yes ! When you are filling up the aircraft and u use the Centre thank , it then means that the pilot has to use the Centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 tanks are selected and he keeps checking to make sure he’s balancing them out according to the manufactures procedure .
answered 20 mins ago
frank ifi
1
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 20 mins ago
frank ifi
1
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 20 mins ago
frank ifi
1
answered 20 mins ago
frank ifi
1
1
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
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TestUser is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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