Informative

Aircraft Fuel Dumping and What Happens to the Fuel Dumped?

Fuel Dumping is an emergency procedure used in certain situations to maintain and prepare the aircraft for a safe landing. In this article, we will discuss the procedure of fuel dumping and the consequences of this procedure. Let’s dig in!

Published

1 year ago

25/08/2022

Youssef Yahya

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Why dump the fuel?

The Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTW) and Maximum Landing Weight (MLW) are the two key weights for aircraft during a flight. Usually, the MTW is greater than the MLW and this is basically due to burning fuel during the flight. When landing the aircraft, the aircraft’s weight should weigh less than the MLW. Otherwise, It would be classified as an overweight landing attempt and would put a lot of strain on the airframe if the plane tried to land before even dumping the fuel first. Additionally, it can raise the possibility of a fire and gasoline leaking onto the tarmac. Therefore this creates a challenge for emergency landings following takeoff. In such cases, Fuel Dumping is a necessary step to be performed by the crew before an emergency landing.

The Process of dumping the fuel at altitude:

The pilots activate a switch in the cockpit, which pumps force the fuel out of nozzles in the wings. When the fuel is spread out over a sufficiently enough region, the particles vaporize into thin mist. Essentially dissipates into the atmosphere’s background gases after evaporating into a gaseous state. However, if an aircraft disperses its fuel at a low enough altitude, such as right after takeoff, it may remain in a liquid state until it hits the ground.

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In this situation, the aircraft will aim to avoid populated areas or perform the operation on land rather than at sea because it would be like dumping hundreds of liters of gasoline upon them. The FAA makes it clear that no dumping is permitted below 2,000 feet.

Photo credit: Unknown / You ask we answer

The ASSIST principle

“Best practice embedded in the ASSIST principle could be followed (A – Acknowledge; S – Separate, S – Silence; I – Inform, S – Support, T – Time):

A – acknowledge the emergency, ask for intentions and provide information regarding suitable fuel dumping areas and altitudes as well as suitable landing aerodromes as necessary;

S – separate the aircraft from other traffic (see next section). If such an area exists, vector the aircraft to the designated fuel dumping area. Ensure that dumping occurs at an altitude that will allow evaporation/dissipation of the fuel before it reaches the ground – 5000 to 6000″ AGL is usually sufficient.

S – silence the non-urgent calls (as required) and use separate frequency where possible;

I – inform the supervisor and other sectors/units concerned; inform the airport emergency fire rescue services and all concerned parties according to local procedures; inform other (uncontrolled) traffic in the vicinity using a general call, e.g. “All stations, [ATS unit], [TYPE] dumping fuel [level] [route or location]”

S – support the flight by providing any information requested and necessary such as type of approach, runway length and any additional aerodrome details, etc.

T – provide time for the crew to assess the situation, execute the dumping procedure and complete associated checklists – don’t press with non urgent matters.”

SKYbrary highlights the above process when dealing with fuel dumps

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Delta 777’s flight (Flight DL89) rained down fuel over some school playgrounds

A Delta 777 traveling from Los Angeles to Shanghai in January 2020 experienced an emergency shortly after takeoff and had to shut down one of the engines. According to Aviation Herald, the Boeing 777 flying from Los Angeles to Shanghai took off as usual from Los Angeles. However, the crew reported that the climb had to be aborted at 8000 feet due to a compressor stall on the twinjet’s right-hand engine. The aircraft was then forced to drop 15,000 gallons of fuel at a height of 2000 feet over a coastal metropolitan suburb. Sadly, it covered three schools, one of which was for young children. The following video shows clearly the fuel dumping of the flight DL89 back in 2020:

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However, the pilots dumped fuel as the plane headed back to Los Angeles and safely landed. Unfortunately, several school playgrounds were covered in jet fuel, which led to a lot of individuals on the ground being injured. Delta stated that it sent 13 cleaning crews to affected schools to help with the outside cleanup to avoid additional hazards.

Is it possible for all planes to dump fuel?

Photo Credits: Sierra Aviation Photograph

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The fuel dump capability is not built on many aircraft. This is true of the majority of regional jets and most narrow-body aircraft, including the 737 and A320. This is because it satisfies particular requirements established by aviation regulators demonstrating that they can still carry out crucial maneuvers like a go-around before landing close to maximum takeoff weight.

Sources:

Simple Flying News

Business Insider

Flightradar24

Cover photo credits: C.v.Grinsven

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Related Topics:Aerospace airbus Airlines airplanes boeing environment Fuel Dumping

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Youssef Yahya

Youssef is the president and founder of Aviation for Aviators; in addition to his role as Chief-in-Editor of the platform's website, Youssef is currently pursuing an engineering degree at Nile University in Egypt. With his unique blend of passion, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit, Youssef is passionate about combining these traits with aviation to provide a unique resource for aviation enthusiasts and professionals alike.

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Informative

Are you dreaming of becoming a pilot? Aer Lingus & British Airways Cadet Program Paves the Way to a Flying Career

Published

1 month ago

14/08/2023

Giuliano

Embarking on an aviation career has always been a dream for countless individuals who are passionate about flying. The Aer Lingus Cadet and British Airways Cadet Program are remarkable opportunity that transforms these dreams into reality, offering aspiring pilots a structured and comprehensive pathway to becoming esteemed aviation professionals.

This article dives into the details of the Aer Lingus and BA Cadet Programs, highlighting its distinctive features, benefits, and the exciting journey it offers those who aspire to navigate the vast expanse of the sky.

Aer Lingus Cadet Program

The first and most important thing: Hurry up! The deadline approaches: you can send your application till the 16/08/2023 by 17:00 GMT.

The cadet program offers intense and structured training (around 14 months) that covers all aspects of piloting. From theoretical classroom instruction to hands-on flight experience, cadets undergo a thorough training regimen that prepares them for the challenges of the aviation industry. The training is held at the famous FTE Jerez, in southern Spain. Successful candidates will be offered a Type Rating (which lasts about 12 weeks) on the most used plane in Europe: Airbus A320, and the base will be obviously Dublin.

The minimum and educational criteria are listed in the offer. There is also a comprehensive Q&A that answers the most asked question and a friendly welcome video about the airline’s new livery. According to the cadet website, the ideal cadet “will need to possess excellent communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills, as well as an appreciation of the service our customers expect.” The course is totally bonded from the airline, which means there will be a bond to cover the cost of the training and other associated costs, and for a period after the cadet commences as a First Officer.

BA Cadet Program: The Speedbird Pilot Academy

Unlikely the Aer Lingus one, for this cadet program, you do not need to be in a rush since the applications are currently still closed and will open in September 2023. It’s anyway worth having a look at the conditions and requirements; as September approaches, British is setting the maximum number of cadets: 60. If you wanna be part of the lucky (and skilled) “60”, have a look at the minimum requirements and don’t miss the deadline application. The strictest requirement of British Airways is the language: the airline is asking the candidate to obtain an ICAO 6 in the English language.

The ICAO Aviation Language certificate can be obtained directly with the CAA or through a recognized and authorized language school. The ICAO 6 certificate is particularly useful since it has no expiration date (unlikely ICAO4 and 5, which last respectively 4 and 5 years).

The training with BA will last about 18 months, and exactly as for the Aer Lingus Cadet Program, it’s fully funded by the airline. For more questions, on the 22nd of August, BA will be running a live Q&A session between 12 and 13 (UK Time). More info and the link to join the call are here: Come and Meet us (ba.com)

Are you dreaming of becoming a pilot, but you never had a chance due to economic problems or lack of motivation? Well, this is your chance! Apply and give your best to realize your dream!

Informative

Flag Carriers as a Symbol of Honor: Between Past and Present

Published

1 month ago

11/08/2023

Mai Adel

Most of the world’s countries have their flag carriers for financial and national duties. A flag carrier is considered an international representative of a country as it stands as a symbol of pride. Therefore, some passengers are keen to ride the flag carrier of their countries as it reflects their identity. However, what is the history of flag carriers?

History of Flag Carriers:

The term “flag carrier” emerged when countries established state-owned airline companies. However, because of the high cost of running such companies, the governments took the initiative to support these companies financially. At this time, there were many airline companies entirely owned by governments. However, a flag carrier can be subsidized or owned by the country, and it has preferential rights or privileges by the government for international operations. In the innovation industry, flag carriers have both financial and symbolic importance. Thus, most countries of the world have their flag carriers.

Countries have Flag Carriers:

Most countries have their flag carriers representing their identity and nationalism worldwide. Examples of these flag carriers are:

Air France

Egyptair
Oman Air

Qatar Airways

However, nowadays, it is not conditionally an airline owned or subsidized by a country. The literal meaning of a flag carrier is an airline carrying its country’s flag worldwide. Now, it can be an airline the country supports to be its flag carrier. For example, the British Kingdom does not own British Airways, but it carries the British flag all over the world. The people recognize it as the British flag carrier. However, some countries do not have a flag carrier but have two, like the United Arab Emirates, but why?

The UAE Has Two Flag Carriers:

If a flag carrier is a symbol of identity and pride, does having two change the equation? The answer to this question is that it does not change the equation this much, but it is more like meeting the country’s needs. Having a two-flag carrier is normal for a country, such as the UAE, in this geopolitical situation. The two Flag carriers are Emirates, the first flag carrier based in Dubai, and Etihad Airways, the second flag carrier based in Abu Dhabi. The royal family established both airlines. Though the UAE has two flag carriers, some of the countries do not have any, such as the US, but why?

The US has no Flag Carrier:

It is true that now the United States of America has no flag carrier, but this has not been the case in the past. In the past, the US had Pan Am, the unofficial US flag carrier in the 20th century. However, running an airline costs a lot. Pan Am could not stand the market and went bankrupt in 1991. Since then, the US has not had a flag carrier, though it has major international airlines, such as American Airlines. Regardless of the current situation of the flag carriers, what are the expectations for their future?

The Future of Flag Carriers:

As we live in the era of technology, predicting the future of something is not a wise move. However, the competition in the aviation market is so fierce, and running an airline company is not a joke. Seeking honor and pride in running an airline is great. However, the competition in the market knows nothing about honor and pride. Maybe, some of the flag carriers will prosper, and some of them will vanish. This thing only time can tell.

Informative

Flying Cars: The Future of Transportation?

Published

1 month ago

08/08/2023

Ahmed Adel

Flying cars have been a dream of science fiction writers for decades, but they are now becoming a reality. Many companies are working on developing these cars, and some of them are already making significant progress.

What are flying cars?

Flying cars are vehicles that can take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. They are also capable of flying horizontally, like an airplane. This makes them a versatile form of transportation that can be used for both personal and commercial purposes.

There are two main types of these cars: eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) and tilt rotors. eVTOLs use electric motors to power their rotors, while tilt rotors use a combination of electric motors and propellers.

The different types of flying cars

There are many different types of flying cars being developed, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Here are a few examples:

PAL-V Liberty: The PAL-V Liberty is a tilt-rotor that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 160 mph and a range of 100 miles.

AeroMobil 3.0: AeroMobil 3.0 is another tilt rotor that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 200 mph and a range of 435 miles.

eVTOL Volocopter: The eVTOL Volocopter is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 62 mph and a range of 22 miles.

SkyDrive SD-03: The SkyDrive SD-03 is an eVTOL that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of 62 miles.

The challenges of the developing

There are a number of challenges that need to be overcome before these cars become mainstream. One challenge is safety. Flying cars need to be extremely safe in order to be approved for public use. Another challenge is regulation. Governments must develop new regulations for flying cars before they can be flown in our airspace.

The Potential Impact

If successful, flying cars could revolutionize commuting, travel, and logistics by making those activities faster, easier, and more flexible. Their future impact depends on overcoming hurdles related to safety, cost, and regulations. With progress in those areas, flying cars could become commonplace in the next few decades, fundamentally changing transportation.

The Future of Flying Cars

The transition to flying vehicles holds great potential for improving mobility. While still a developing technology, continued progress by companies working on these cars indicates they may ultimately transform how we move about and deliver goods.

“Flying cars are the future of transportation. They’re faster, more convenient, and more environmentally friendly than cars or airplanes.” – Elon Musk