2006-11-21 17:19:11 · 14 answers · asked by aleta w 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
It is very rare for an aircraft to dump fuel, it is only done in an emergency situation. Most of the time they will try to get the aircraft to circle around, many many times to burn the fuel off rather then having to dump the fuel. But if the situation does not warrant it and they must have to dump the fuel they try to do it over an area that will not be effected, ie. out over the water.
2006-11-22 01:26:23 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone above is full of it to some degree. Yes, airplanes do dump fuel. Some have the capability, some do not. Almost all military do, all large airliners do, not many small planes do. The largest reason for dumping is because planes cannot land at the same weight they normally take off and therefore have to reduce their weight quickly if they have a big emergency like an engine fire or something. Another big reason is that if enough engines are lost, the aircraft may not be able to continue flying at that weight. When they do dump fuel, it takes a couple thousand feet to evaporate. This is not a common occurance, but it certainly does happen.
2006-11-21 20:43:04 · answer #2 · answered by stromv 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Private is the closest so far.
Yes some planes dump fuel in an emergency and ONLY in a designated area.(Open fields, waterways, etc.)
The areas are noted on approach plates that the pilots have with them.
If they have to do it in an emergency and it is over a populated area, it evaporates before it hits the ground.
Generally they would rather not dump fuel as the paperwork is horrendous.
2006-11-22 02:09:24 · answer #3 · answered by dyke_in_heat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
pa28 and lynn need some schooling.
Certain aircraft do indeed have dumping capabilities (including commercial airliners) and do dump the fuel into the atmosphere. Fortunately for those underneath the flight path, jet fuel VAPORIZES in the air.
If a fully loaded 747 took off and had to turn right back around for an emergency landing, it would dump as much fuel as possible, because there would be no way for it to land and a) not break its landing gear and b) not roll off the end of the runway due to weight.
2006-11-21 21:42:55 · answer #4 · answered by IceTrojan 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
In most aircraft there is no way of "dumping" fuel. Although a pilot may choose(in the case of an emergency) to fly in holding patterns to burn there fuel supply up. This is a rare occasion. Although some larger aircraft have fuel jettisons where fuel is dumped out into the air where it quickly evaporates. 100LL usually evaporates in seconds in open air.
2006-11-21 17:42:22 · answer #5 · answered by us_pilot 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Everyone but Lynn is full of it. especially the first one that said" comes right down on us ;) I live near an airport and i hear the release of fuel sometimes, I've heard that you can not have to much fuel approaching landing..."
I say you are a liar!!!
only military planes have this capability. If this really hap pend at your airport, the EPA would be handing out BIG fines to the airline.
As Lynn Stated, if there is a need to offload fuel for landing (because of weight, not the chance of fire as some might expect) they would simply
fly a holding pattern as instructed by Air Traffic Control!!!
In a emergency the would not allow for continued flying, the pilot would land with the fuel on board.
2006-11-21 19:41:12 · answer #6 · answered by cherokeeflyer 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
gasoline sell off isn't obtainable on all planes yet particularly on some planes who've a miles better take off weight than touchdown weight. that's barely completed in an emergency. The 747-4 hundred can sell off at 5000 LBS/according to minute. It takes over 20 minutes to dry the tanks up (giving some padding). you could sell off everywhere this is over "unpopulated" factors. besides the undeniable fact that it is no longer particular over water. I easily have basically had to offload gasoline as quickly as in my existence. there became right into a ton of paperwork/questions and that i became into advised next time we'd could pay for the gasoline lost.
2016-12-10 13:31:36 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a really good, original question that no one ever asked. It would be kind of hard to just dump the fuel, but if the flight industies is willing to spent tons of money doing that it would be great and safe in case of similar terrorists attack like 9/11. But, my dear, they won't spend the money to do that. It's out of the question.
2006-11-21 17:33:03 · answer #8 · answered by FILO 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
While it's very rare for a plane to dump fuel anymore (especially with costs way up) when they do dump, it's usually into the atmosphere...Yuck!
2006-11-21 17:27:14 · answer #9 · answered by Shihfu Mike Evans 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In the air, isn't that nice huh... comes right down on us ;) I live near an airport and i hear the release of fuel sometimes, I've heard that you can not have to much fuel approaching landing...
not 100% on that thou...
2006-11-21 17:26:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋