Why airlines use KG for fuel instead of liters/gallons?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Canada
Age: 37
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why airlines use KG for fuel instead of liters/gallons?
I remember reading this a while ago, but can only remember something to do with temperature or specific gravity.
Can't really remember.
Please someone explain?
Can't really remember.
Please someone explain?
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Central London
Age: 41
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I seem to remember reading it's to do with fuel volume increasing/decreasing with temperature. Therefore loading 100 gals/ltrs of fuel will give you different volumes at different temperatures, whereas loading 100KGs will always give you the same amount for the purposes of calculating range/duration etc. (although the volume of 100KGs worth of fuel will vary with temp). I'm in no way shape or form an expert so stand to be corrected if that isn't the case 
Last edited by taxistaxing; 11th Sep 2012 at 13:15.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Scotland
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The warmer the fuel is the less dense it is. 1Kg of fuel always has the same calorific value in terms of energy but it may take up a larger volume if it is less dense. Not such a big deal in a car for instance where you will get small variations based on 50l of diesel but very much a problem when you're burning a few thousand kilos of fuel.
Hence kilos and not litres.
Hence kilos and not litres.
Jet fuel comes out of the refining process at different specific gravities, also. That is, at the same temp, different loads of Jet A might weigh differently even at the same temp and volume.
Last edited by galaxy flyer; 11th Sep 2012 at 15:52.
