Jet fuel is a colorless,
combustible, straight run petroleum distillate liquid its principal uses are as
an ingredient in lamp oils, charcoal starter fluids, jet engines fuels and
insectisides. This class of fuel provides a good balance of properties currently
required from an aviation fuel, in which energy density, operational issues,
cost, and safety all need to be taken into account.
All jet fuels are composed
primarily of hydrocarbons as a blend of saturates, with no more than 25%
aromatics. Olefins may be present, but they are effectively kept below about 1%
by stability requirements. Additionally, a fuel may contain up to 0.3% sulfur by
weight, although the level is generally less than 0.1%.
The most common fuel worldwide is a
kerosene-based fuel classified as JET A-1. The only other jet fuel that is
commonly used in civilian aviation is called JET B . JET B is a fuel in the
naphtha- kerosene region that is used for its enhanced cold-weather performance.
However, JET B's lighter composition makes it more dangerous to handle, and it
is thus restricted only to areas where its cold-weather characteristics are
absolutely necessary .Aviation fuel is often dispensed from a truck which is
driven up to parked airplanes and helicopters. Less commonly, some airports have
pumps similar to filling stations that aircraft must taxi up to. Some extremely
large airports also have permanent piping to parking areas for large aircraft.
