Aircraft fuel

Aviation aircraft fuel is a particular type of petroleum based fuel used to power aircraft. It is usually of a higher quality than aircraft fuel used in less dangerous applications such as heating or road transport, and frequently contains additives to reduce the risk of icing or explosion due to high temperatures, amongst other properties. Most aviation aircraft fuel obtainable for aircraft are kinds of petroleum spirit used in engines with spark plugs i.e. piston engines and Wankel rotaries or aircraft fuel for jet turbine engines which is also used in diesel aircraft engines. Alcohol, alcohol mixtures and other alternative aircraft fuel may be used experimentally but are not usually obtainable.

Avgas is a high octane aircraft fuel used for aircraft and racing cars. The term Avgas is a portmanteau for aviation gasoline, as distinguished from mogas (motor gasoline), which is the daily petroleum spirit used in cars. Avgas is normally used as aircraft fuel that uses reciprocating or wankel engines. Jet aircraft fuel is a clear to straw colored fuel, based on either unleaded paraffin oil, or a naphtha kerosene merge. It is alike to diesel aircraft fuel, and can be used in either compression ignition engines or turbine engines.

Aviation aircraft fuels consist of blends of over a thousand chemicals, primarily Hydrocarbons as well as additives such as antioxidants and metal deactivators, and impurities. Principal components include n octane and isooctane. Similar to other aircraft fuels, blends of Aviation fuel used in piston engines aircraft are often described by their Octane rating.
Aviation aircraft fuel can reason strict environmental damage, and all fuelling vehicles should carry gear to control fuel spills. Aviation aircraft fuel must be checked daily and before every flight for contaminants such as water or dirt. Several airlines now require that safety belts be left unfastened should passengers be aboard when refueling happens.