before landing, especially over large metropolitan areas.
(This is not a criticism. I like jet fumes.)
2006-10-24 05:41:23 · 8 answers · asked by $Sun King$ 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
No, it is not common practice at all.
In fact, it's an exceedingly rare occurrence, It is ONLY done under emergency conditions where the circumstances are such that the aircraft cannot safely stay airborne to burn off the excess fuel to bring the weight below the maximum landing weight.
When fuel is dumped it is only done over unpopulated areas, preferably over open ocean, to minimize environmental damage.
Not all airliners have the ability to dump fuel in-flight.
If you like jet fumes, dump a bucket of kerosene over your head. Same stuff.
2006-10-24 06:57:03 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no! you would not want to drop fuel in an emergency. the only time that a fuel dump is warented is to lower your gross weight to within limits to land if your aircraft is able to take off over its safe landin wieght. like the 747 and the 777 and the 757 depanding on the model. dumping fuel increases the amount of air in the fuel tanks and allow fumes to collect in the place of a much less volitile kerosene based fuel that really doesnt even burn that well in liquid form. you are better to leave the fuel in and not have a explosinon hazard then to empty it out.
2006-10-24 14:56:26 · answer #2 · answered by Scott F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not common practice. Fuel is dumped after an emergency landing is requested and approved, If the aircraft is above it's max landing weight, depending on the model aircraft, the pilot will either dump fuel, usually on aircraft that have three or more engines. Or fly around the vicinity of the airport till they have reached MLW.
The fuel dumped is generally evaporated, because of the atomizing effect when it leaves the plane.....If anyone feels or smells fuel it is only because of suggested reasoning.
2006-10-24 06:55:09 · answer #3 · answered by battle-ax 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Only in cases of emergency, and only certain airframes.
Some of the larger jets (747, for example) can't land at takeoff weights, so they either have to fly long enough to burn the fuel down, or they have to dump fuel. There are myriad rules that have to be followed in order to accomplish this, one of which is to not release fuel over inhabited areas. Most of the time, it's over water.
2006-10-24 05:56:53 · answer #4 · answered by lowflyer1 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The only time fuel is dumped by an airliner is during an emergency, and then, only enough to reach the maximum landing weight for that aircraft.
2006-10-24 05:49:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
No, have you checked the price of fuel lately.
2006-10-24 14:53:16 · answer #6 · answered by Nelson_DeVon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, unless the aircraft is in an imminent state of distress.
2006-10-24 05:48:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Only in an emergency landing to reduce the danger of fire.
2006-10-24 05:48:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋