Fuel Dumping?
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Fuel Dumping?
Hi Guys/Girls,
Do large commercial aircraft have a emergency fuel dump system? If yes, when and how would it be used?
Thanks in advance,
Do large commercial aircraft have a emergency fuel dump system? If yes, when and how would it be used?
Thanks in advance,
Last edited by Tasslehoff; 2nd Feb 2012 at 17:52.
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Wikipedia far from perfect or definitive but it gives a reasonable overview Fuel dumping - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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Many large commercial aircraft have the ability to dump fuel. A typical scenario would be a heavy aircraft experiencing a problem after take-off and too heavy to land immediately. The pilot could then dump fuel to reduce the weight for a safe landing. It doesn't happen every day, but it is not an uncommon occurrence.
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Large long range jets might also experience a low level emergency in cruise- passenger illness, technical fault whereby it may not be able to cross a large body of water, threat warning, and may be required to land earlier than expected, placing it above max landing weight. Rather than do an overweight landing, the crew may decide to dump fuel down to maximum landing weight. Some B767s and larger aeroplanes have these systems. A B747 can dump at about 2000kgs/minute, minimum 6000' above ground. Fuel evaporates, none reaches ground.
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Should an a/c have no choice, but to land before being able to dump and thus be above landing weight, what would the immediate risks be (assuming that the a/c has the system installed and is not one of the newer type where the landing weight is closer to the take-off weight)?
Wing structural failure?
Landing gear damage?
Wing structural failure?
Landing gear damage?
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All planes are tested, and able to land at/near their maximum takeoff weight.
A reduced rate of descent for touch down should be used.
Expect brakes overheat, resulting to possible tyre damage.
In any case, an overweight landing inspection is required.
xxx
In my flying career, I landed twice quite heavy, well over max landing weight.
It was the company's decision, even though we had fuel jettision capability.
The reason was to save on cost of fuel, and the runways were very long.
In both cases, there was no damage to the plane.
xxx
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A reduced rate of descent for touch down should be used.
Expect brakes overheat, resulting to possible tyre damage.
In any case, an overweight landing inspection is required.
xxx
In my flying career, I landed twice quite heavy, well over max landing weight.
It was the company's decision, even though we had fuel jettision capability.
The reason was to save on cost of fuel, and the runways were very long.
In both cases, there was no damage to the plane.
xxx
Happy contrails
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Should an a/c have no choice, but to land before being able to dump and thus be above landing weight, what would the immediate risks be (assuming that the a/c has the system installed and is not one of the newer type where the landing weight is closer to the take-off weight)?
Wing structural failure?
Landing gear damage?
Wing structural failure?
Landing gear damage?
