Dumping Fuel

[donnlass]

We read of aircraft dumping fuel when having problems and I know they spray it out from nozzles on the wings but what happens to it after it leaves the aircraft?

Does it disperse in the air or does it fall to earth or sea wherever the aircraft is flying over?

Thanks in advance.

[Intruder]

Much of it evaporates and is dispersed in the air. An old rule of thumb was that if done above 6,000', the fuel would not reach the ground. however, with the quantity of fuel from a 747, for example, I think there is a good likelihood of some detectable fuel reaching the ground from 10,000' or more.

[2 sheds]

"It vapourises - and what's more, there is no radioactive fallout" - Derek "Blaster" Bates, the "Shower of Sh-t over Cheshire".