- is there particular locations(over water?)
- what circumstances must be present to do so?
2007-09-29 05:08:30 · 5 answers · asked by Istvan D 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
In an extreme emergency, for example mechanical problems, or a sick passenger. The plane is loaded for a long trip and must land back at the point of origin or at another point before enough fuel is burned off to get the weight below the maximum landing weight. Fuel dumping is coordinated with ATC to keep other aircraft clear of the dumped fuel, and is generally done over water. It is also done at a high enough altitude, if possible, that the fuel evaporates before it hits the ground.
Something interesting to note: The original rule was if the maximum takeoff weight was more than 105% of the maximum landing weight, the aircraft had to have a way to jettison fuel. New certifications do not require this, and they just land overweight (and go through some severe inspections afterward) or fly around and burn off fuel. Same models of aircraft may or may not have the ability to dump fuel, it is left up to owner if they want it.
There are some still pics of fuel dumping in this Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_dump_systems
2007-09-30 03:10:19 · answer #1 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fuel will vaporize before it hits the surface. But it is preferred over water.
Circumstances are an immediate return to the airport is necessary but the aircraft cannot land because it's over it's Max landing weight.(MLW)
Dumping the fuel allows the aircraft to get lighter.
A LOT of aircraft out there don't have the ability to dump fuel. For the capability to be required by the FAA the Maximum Takeoff weight and Maximum landing weight must have a difference greater then 105%.
2007-09-29 12:26:22 · answer #2 · answered by Charles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It won't hit the ground anyway. Better be an emergency. If I left the boss's luggage on the ramp and had to turn back I'd need to update my resume.
2007-09-29 12:14:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What circumstances?
How 'bout when the "pucker factor" is so great, that no one could get a pin up your a** with a jack hammer?
2007-09-30 13:51:08 · answer #4 · answered by strech 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dump when you want, and, according to the AIM, report it to ATC.
2007-09-29 20:01:49 · answer #5 · answered by Mark 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋