Two types of aircraft fuel exist: avgas (aviation gas) and jet fuel. Avgas has a higher octane rating than car gas and it contains lead, while jet fuel (referred to either as Jet A or Jet B) consists mainly of kerosene. While jet engines use jet fuel and piston engine aircraft, like a Piper Apache, use avgas, many more than two types of aircraft fuel systems exist.

Airplane fuel systems work in a couple of different ways: some planes have fuel pumps, some have a gravity-fed aircraft fuel management systems, while others have a combination of these or something different entirely. The purpose of this guide isn't to explain all the different airplane fuel systems in detail; rather, this guide will point you in the right direction so you can learn more about aircraft fuels and systems specific to your aircraft.

To learn about your aircraft fuel system, learn about the three basic components:

1. Airplane fuel type;

2. Aircraft fuel management system; and

3. Aviation fuel pumps

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Consider the airplane fuel your aircraft uses

An aircraft that uses avgas will always have a different aircraft fueling system than one that uses jet fuel. While the differences in the fueling systems won't stop there, learning aircraft fuels and systems basics should start with some knowledge about the type of airplane fuel required.

I recommend: You can learn more about the types of airplane fuel at the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. For more specific information about the types of jet fuel and additives, visit the jet fuel page on the Computer Support Group site.

Develop or learn about your aircraft fuel management system

An aircraft fuel management system helps your pilots, aircraft fuel line and fuel department manage fuel. Fuel management systems range from the specific to the comprehensive, and if your company doesn't have an aircraft fuel management system in place, then take the time to look at an aircraft fuel system designed for an operation of similar size.

I recommend: SPG Media has a gallery of different aircraft fuel management systems. To get an idea of how specific fuel management systems can get, look at the explanation from m·u·t of an optical fuel measurement system.

Understand how an aircraft fuel pump works

Knowing how your aircraft fuel pumps work doesn't mean you need to understand every technical detail. But knowing the basic principles behind jet fuel pumps or other aircraft fuel pumps helps you master aircraft fuels and systems basics, so take some time to study your aircraft's fuel pump.

I recommend: Look at a patent and diagram for a jet fuel pump on PatentStorm. Fluid Metering has an illustrated explanation of how their aircraft fuel pumps operate.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Although this guide addresses the technical aspects of airplane fueling and aircraft fueling equipment, when it comes to aircraft fuel management systems remember that fuel management simply means using fuel intelligently and efficiently. Remind your aircraft fuel line about the least technical ways to manage fuel flow, like not overfilling tanks and other commonsense ways to conserve whatever type or aircraft fuel your business uses.

Choosing the best aircraft fuels and systems will keep your aircraft in top shape. You have to adhere to strict maintenance and do quick repairs, though, to make sure that your aircraft fuel management system stays clean and safe.

Your aircraft fuel system design will depend on the type of plane that you fly, but most airplane fueling specialists should be able to either assist you or point you in the right direction if you have any issues with your aircraft fuel system.

To stay on top of your aircraft fuel system and repair:

1. Know the best places to purchase your airplane fuel. Keeping your fuel system active will help keep any impurities from building up in the fuel lines.

2. Conduct routine aircraft fuel system maintenance and repair work.

3. Address any airplane fuel line issues right away before they get worse and become a bigger problem.

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Find the nearest airplane fuel supplier near you

Whether you are purchasing aircraft fuels and systems or you are simply looking for the closest vendor, take advantage of the many fuel providers near you.

I recommend: Check local air fuel prices by zip code at AirNav. The Tucson Aeroservice Center's fueling system offers both 100LL Av-Gas and Jet A Premixed using radio dispatched fuel trucks. Phillips Aviation Services out of Bartlesville, OK offers a wide variety of aviation fuel services including 24-hour emergency fuel service, Phillips 66 100LL Avgas, Phillips 66 pre-blended jet fuel with deicer (Jet A PFA56MB), accepts all major credit cards, volume fuel discounts and no landing or tiedown fees. Take advantage of the UVair fuel card program for volume discounts on aviation fuel. You can even receive a quote even you are not a card carrying member.

Purchase aircraft fuel system components and parts

Assemble the most cost effective and efficient in aircraft fuel system parts and components to bring your system together as a whole.

I recommend: Check out the aircraft fueling systems from Garsite. Aero Tec Laboratories sells a variety of flexible fuel cell bladder tanks for a wide variety of aircrafts. The aviation/fuel reels from Hannay Reels are great for aviation hydrant refueling, sensing and grounding as well as mobile refueling. Velcon Filters is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of aviation fuel handling products.

Make sure your aircraft fuel system's fuel cell is in top shape

Purchase or overhaul your existing fuel cell to keep your aircraft fuel system up and running safely.

I recommend: Check out the new fuel cell and fuel cell overhaul and repair services of Hartwig Aircraft. Purchase new fuel cells or overhaul and repair your existing fuel cells through Eagle Fuel Cells-ETC. They carry fuel cells for Beechcraft, Piper and Aero Commander from Engineered Fabrics Corporation (EFC) brands. Use Aero-Mach Labs to find your Fuel Management System Components. Purchase or repair aircraft fuel cells through AeroParts & Supply.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have an airplane fuel line issue while you are away from your home airport, ask for a quote before the maintenance technician begins any work. It may be a high cost, but at least you know up front and can prepare yourself for the price tag (and send away for additional funds if necessary).

Whether your business owns one plane or a fleet of aircraft, learning about aircraft fuels and systems can help you in the event of a mechanical issue with the aircraft fuel management system or the aircraft fueling equipment. If your business is flying, then you'll want to know as much as you can about airplane fuel systems, either so you can make minor repairs yourself or so you can properly manage your mechanics.

When getting aircraft fuels and systems education and training, realize that you're dealing with several different parts of the aircraft fuel system. Aircraft fuel management systems have three basic components:

1. Airplane fuel;

2. Aviation fuel pumps (including jet fuel pumps) and aircraft fuel lines; and

3. The overall aircraft fuel management system

Action Steps
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Get airplane fuel safety training

Airplane fuel systems vary; what works in a jet engine won't work in a piston engine airplane. Understanding aircraft fuel system design should start with an understanding of aircraft fuels. Fuel safety training is also a part of aircraft fuels and systems education and training.

I recommend: Consider taking a aircraft fuels and aircraft fueling safety and training course like the one Snohomish County Airport offers. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) offers customized airplane fuels and airplane fueling education and training that it will bring to your place of business.

Understand the relationship between the aircraft fuel line and aircraft fuel pump

An aircraft fuel line transports aircraft fuel to the engine, but an aircraft also uses a fuel pump to get the avgas or jet fuel moving. Aviation fuel pumps work much like automotive fuel pumps. Aviation fuel pumps are part of an airplane's powerplant.

I recommend: Read a comprehensive article explaining how an aircraft fuel pump works at Aviation Week. For a more in-depth explanation of an airplane's powerplant system--including the aircraft fuel line system and aviation fuel pumps--read the aircraft powerplant section of the ground school study guide at Free Online Private Pilot Ground School.

Buy aircraft fuel system manuals and textbooks

Familiarize yourself with aircraft fuels and systems by getting--and reading--the manual for your specific aircraft fuel system. If you really want to know about the intricacies of aircraft fuel system design, then you can also study the books that airframe and powerplant mechanics study to get their certification.

I recommend: AvShop.com sells "A Pilot's Guide to Aircraft and Their Systems"; it has several chapters that deal with aircraft fuel systems. For a more in-depth reading list, check out the required textbooks for aviation maintenance students at the National Aviation Academy.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The next time your mechanic has to work on part of the airplane's powerplant system, hang around and ask questions. Peek you head underneath the cowling and look at the aircraft fuel system so you understand how your airplane fuel gets from the tanks in the wings to the engine.

Aircrafts, both jet and piston engine airplanes, all use different types of fuel in different fuel systems. Some of these fuel systems work in a manner similar to an automobile, but others function in a completely different manner.

Even if you have a basic or in-depth understanding of how a car's fuel system works, you may not quite understand all the facets of an airplane's fuel system. That may be because of the difference in the terminology used. For example, the aviation industry refers to gasoline for airplanes as AVGAS. By learning aircraft fuels and systems key terms, you'll know exactly what people in the industry mean when they use jargon.

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AVGAS

AVGAS, or aviation gasoline, is leaded gasoline with a higher octane rating than car gas.

I recommend: CSG explains what AVGAS is and how it works. Its definition includes a bit of history about aviation gasoline.

Jet A-1 and Jet-A

Jet A-1 and Jet A fuels are jet fuels consisting primarily of kerosene. The main difference between the two is availability: Jet A-1 is not available in the United States, and Jet A is only available in the United States.

I recommend: Shell has good definitions of both these types of jet fuels, and its website also describes the differences between the two.

Jet B

Jet B fuel is similar to Jet A and Jet A-1, but with two main differences: it contains naptha, as well as kerosene, and it isn't as flammable.

I recommend: PetroValue defines Jet B in greater detail.

Preignition

Preignition occurs when the mixture of fuel and air ignites before it should.

I recommend: Sacramento Sky Ranch defines preignition and has photos of damage caused by preignition.

Detonation

Detonation occurs when the fuel and air mixture gets too hot too fast and explodes rather than burning smoothly. Detonation and preignition may cause each other.

I recommend: The EAA's glossary explains detonation in greater detail. You can also read about detonation at the website Experimental Aircraft Information.

Airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P)

An airframe and powerplant mechanic, or A&P, is a mechanic certified by a Federal Aviation Administration-authorized examiner to work on airplane engines, known as the powerplant, and the airframe, or the body.

I recommend: The United States Department of Labor explains what an airframe and powerplant mechanic does in detail.