TR 5 Fuel Systems

De Vera, Luis Reden D.
Rating:
Fuel System
BS AERO ENG / 3RD YEAR APRIL 25, 2024
Technical Report No. 5
AeE 662
Aircraft Systems
ENGR. CEDRIC JAMES D. LAMBINO

INSTRUCTOR
Fuel System PAGE 1 OF 7
Aircraft Fuel Systems

Each fuel system for a turbine engine powered airplane must meet applicable
fuel venting requirements. Each fuel system must be constructed and arranged to ensure
fuel flow at a rate and pressure established for proper engine and auxiliary power unit
(APU) functioning under each likely operating condition. A turbine engine fuel system
must be capable of sustained operation throughout its flow and pressure range even
though the fuel has some water in it.
Fuel System Independence

Each fuel system must be designed and arranged to provide independence
between multiple fuel storage and supply systems so that failure of any one component
in one system will not result in loss of fuel storage or supply of another system.
Fuel System Lightning Protection

The fuel system must be designed and arranged to prevent the ignition of the fuel
within the system by direct lightning strikes or swept lightning strokes to areas where
such occurrences are highly probable, or by corona or streamering at fuel vent outlets.
Types of Aviation Fuel

Reciprocating Engine Fuel—AVGAS
o Reciprocating engines burn gasoline, also known as AVGAS.
o AVGAS of any variety is primarily a hydrocarbon compound refined from crude
oil by fractional distillation.
o AVGAS is very volatile and extremely flammable, with a low flash point
Volatility
- term used to describe how readily a substance changes from liquid into a vapor.
Vapor Lock
- Vapor lock is a condition in which AVGAS vaporizes in the fuel line or other
components between the fuel tank and the carburetor.
Carburetor Icing
- When fuel vaporizes in the carburetor, water in the fuel-air mixture can freeze and
deposit inside the carburetor and fuel induction system.
Detonation
- Detonation is the rapid, uncontrolled explosion of fuel due to high pressure and
temperature in the combustion chamber.
Purity
- The purity of aviation gasoline is compromised most often by water. Air in the tank
vapor space above the liquid fuel contains water vapor. Temperature fluctuations
cause the water vapor to condense on the inner surface of the tanks and settle into
the liquid fuel.
Figure 5-1. Color coded labeling and markings used on fueling equipment.
FUEL TANKS
There are three basic types of aircraft fuel tanks:
o Rigid Removable Tanks
o Bladder Tanks
o Integral Fuel Tanks
Most tanks are constructed of noncorrosive material(s). They are typically made to be
vented either through a vent cap or a vent line. Aircraft fuel tanks have a low area called
a sump that is designed as a place for contaminants and water to settle. The sump is
equipped with a drain valve used to remove the impurities during preflight walk-around
inspection.
Figure 5-2. Fuel tank access panel locations on a Boeing 737 (A), and typical fuel tank access panel seals (B).
FUEL VALVES
There are many fuel valve uses in aircraft fuel systems. They are used to shut off fuel
flow or to route the fuel to a desired location. Other than sump drain valves, light aircraft
fuel systems may include only one valve, the selector valve.
Hand-Operated Valves
There are three basic types of hand-operated valves used in aircraft fuel systems. The
cone-type valve and the poppet-type valve are commonly used in light general aviation
aircraft as fuel selector valves.
Figure 5-3. Detents for each position, an

indicating handle, and labeling aid the
pilot in knowing the position of the fuel
valve.
Cone Valves
A cone valve, also called a plug valve, consists of a machined valve housing into which a
rotatable brass or nylon cone is set.
Figure 5-4. A cone valve is open when

the bored cone aligns the inlet and the
outlet ports. It shuts off the flow when the
un-bored portion of the cone is aligned
with the inlet port(s).
Poppet Valves
Selector valves are also commonly the poppet type. As the handle is rotated in this valve,
a cam on the attached shaft lifts the poppet off the seat of the desired port being selected.
Manually-Operated Gate Valves

Hand-operated gate valves can be used, especially as fire control valves, requiring no
electrical power to shutoff fuel flow when the emergency fire handle is pulled.
Motor-Operated Valves
The use of electric motors to operate fuel system valves is common on large aircraft due
to the remote location from the cockpit of fuel system components. The types of valves
used are basically the same as the manually operated valves, but electric motors are used
to actuate the units.
Solenoid-Operated Valves
An additional way to operate a remotely located fuel valve is through the use of electric
solenoids.
Figure 5-5. This motor-operated gate

valve has a red position indicating lever
that can be used by maintenance
personnel to identify the position of the
valve. The lever can be moved by the
technician to position the valve.
FUEL PUMPS
Hand-Operated Fuel Pumps
Some older reciprocating engine aircraft have been equipped with hand-operated fuel
pumps. They are used to back up the engine-driven pump and to transfer fuel from tank
to tank.
Centrifugal Boost Pumps
Most common type of auxiliary fuel pump used on aircraft, especially large and high-
performance aircraft, is the centrifugal pump.
Ejector Pumps
Some aircraft use ejector pumps to help ensure that liquid fuel is always at the inlet of the
pump.
Pulsating Electric Pumps
General aviation aircraft often make use of smaller, less expensive auxiliary fuel pumps.
The pulsating electric pump, or plunger-type fuel pump, is common.
Vane-Type Fuel Pumps
Vane-type fuel pumps are the most common types of fuel pumps found on reciprocating-
engine aircraft. They are used as both engine-driven primary fuel pumps and as auxiliary
or boost pumps.
Figure 5-6. The basic mechanism of a

vane-type fuel pump
Fuel Filters
Two main types of fuel cleaning device are utilized on aircraft.
• Fuel strainers are usually constructed of relatively coarse wire mesh that do not
inhibit the flow of water.
• Fuel filters generally are usually fine mesh.
REFERENCES
Jeppesen Sanderson (2009). A & P Technician Airframe Textbook.
Federal Aviation Administration (2018). Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook

Airframe, Volume 2.

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De Vera, Luis Reden D.

Technical Report No. 5

ENGR. CEDRIC JAMES D. LAMBINO

Aircraft Fuel Systems

Fuel System Independence

Fuel System Lightning Protection

Types of Aviation Fuel

Figure 5-3. Detents for each position, an

Figure 5-4. A cone valve is open when

Manually-Operated Gate Valves

Figure 5-5. This motor-operated gate

Hand-Operated Fuel Pumps

Centrifugal Boost Pumps

Pulsating Electric Pumps

Vane-Type Fuel Pumps

Figure 5-6. The basic mechanism of a

Two main types of fuel cleaning device are utilized on aircraft.

Jeppesen Sanderson (2009). A & P Technician Airframe Textbook.

Federal Aviation Administration (2018). Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook

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