Ameer Randolph
Helicopters use a lot of fuel, and the weight of that fuel depends on several factors. The size, weight, and type of helicopter, as well as the engine type, all influence the amount of fuel needed and, therefore, its weight. For example, the smallest single-seat helicopter, the Mosquito XE, has a fuel capacity of 12 gallons/45 liters, while the largest helicopter in the world, the Mil Mi-26T, can hold 3170 gallons/12,000 liters. Additionally, helicopters use significantly more fuel when hovering than in mid-flight, as the main rotor must generate all the lift to keep the aircraft in the air.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Helicopter Fuels | Jet fuel, Aviation gasoline, Kerosene-based hydrocarbon fuels |
| Jet Fuel Grades | Jet A, Jet A-1, Jet B |
| Jet Fuel Weight | 6.8 pounds per US gallon (0.81 kg/L) |
| Helicopter Fuel Tank Location | Under the main rotor, above or below the cabin |
| Helicopter Flight Duration | 1.5-3 hours with a 20-minute reserve |
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What You'll Learn
Helicopter fuel types: Jet fuel and aviation gasoline
The type of fuel used by a helicopter depends on the engine type powering it. There are two main types of helicopter fuel: jet fuel and aviation gasoline.
Jet Fuel
Jet fuel is used in all aircraft with gas turbine engines, including turbine-powered helicopters. It is a kerosene-based fuel that is clear to straw-coloured. It has a low viscosity at low temperatures, limited ranges of density and calorific value, burns cleanly, and remains chemically stable when heated to high temperatures. Jet fuel is also used in jet and gas turbine aircraft engines, which typically use lower-cost fuels with higher flash points, making them less flammable and safer to transport and handle. The most common grade of jet fuel used in the United States is Jet Fuel A, while other grades like Jet Fuel A-1 are more common in other countries. Jet Fuel A-1 can be used at temperatures as low as -47°C, while Jet Fuel A has a lower operating temperature of -40°C.
Aviation Gasoline
Aviation gasoline, often referred to as AvGas or 100LL (low-lead), is a highly refined form of gasoline used in aircraft. It contains three times the amount of tetraethyl lead per litre compared to car gasoline, which serves to prevent detonations during combustion that could result in piston engine failure. Aviation gasoline is dyed to differentiate the various grades, with the colour indicating the pressure the AvGas can resist without detonation. Aviation gasoline is sold in much lower volumes than jet fuel but to many more individual aircraft operators.
The weight of helicopter fuel depends on the size of the helicopter and its fuel tank. Larger helicopters can carry more fuel, but this also means they weigh more and require more fuel to generate the necessary power to move. Most helicopters are designed to carry enough fuel for between 1.5 and 3 hours of flying, with a 20-minute reserve. Helicopters also use more fuel when hovering than in mid-flight, as the main rotor has to create all the lift to keep the helicopter airborne.
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Jet fuel grades: Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B
The weight of helicopter fuel depends on the size of the helicopter and its fuel tank. The price of fuel per kiloliter is the same for all aircraft, but larger helicopters can take more fuel in their tanks, and different types of helicopters have different fuel efficiencies. Most helicopters are designed to hold enough fuel for between 1.5 and 3 hours of flying, with a 20-minute reserve.
Jet fuel, also known as aviation turbine fuel (ATF), is a kerosene-based fuel that is used in aircraft with gas turbine engines. It is a mixture of a variety of hydrocarbons and is defined by its performance specifications rather than its chemical composition. The most common types of jet fuel are Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B.
Jet A is the standard jet fuel used in the United States and is widely used in commercial and private aviation. It has a minimum flash point of 38°C (100°F) and a maximum freezing point of -40°C (-40°F). Jet A-1 is the standard specification fuel used in most of the rest of the world and shares many similarities with Jet A in terms of composition and properties. However, Jet A-1 has a lower freezing point of -47°C (-52.6°F), making it more suitable for long-distance flights and colder climates. It also contains an anti-static additive to prevent electrical static build-up, making it safer.
Jet B is a naphtha-kerosene fuel that is used for its enhanced cold-weather performance, with a freezing point of -60°C (-76°F). Its lighter composition makes it more dangerous to handle, so it is rarely used except in very cold climates like northern Canada and Alaska.
Other types of jet fuel include JP-4, JP-5, JP-8, TS-1, and T-series fuels, some of which are used for military applications.
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Jet fuel weight: 6.8 pounds per US gallon
Jet fuel, also known as aviation turbine fuel (ATF), is a type of aviation fuel used in aircraft with gas-turbine engines. It is a colourless to straw-coloured mixture of hydrocarbons, with Jet A and Jet A-1 being the most commonly used types. Jet fuel is defined by its performance specifications, rather than as a chemical compound, as its composition varies based on its petroleum source.
Jet fuel weighs 6.8 pounds per US gallon (0.81 kg/L). This weight is due to its composition, primarily as a kerosene-based fuel, which can be further improved with additives. For example, Jet A-1 is an improved version of Jet A as it can be used at lower temperatures and contains an anti-static additive to prevent electrical static build-up.
The weight of jet fuel is an important consideration for aircraft, as the total weight of an aircraft impacts its fuel efficiency and performance. Helicopters, for instance, are sensitive to changes in their centre of gravity, and the weight of the fuel they carry affects their flight duration and range. Therefore, understanding the weight of jet fuel is crucial for aircraft design, fuel tank placement, and operational planning.
Additionally, the weight of jet fuel has implications for its taxation and regulation. In the European Union, commercial aviation fuel is exempt from taxation, while in the United States, most states tax jet fuel. The taxation of jet fuel is influenced by factors such as bilateral agreements and health hazards associated with exposure to its components.
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Jet fuel price: $3.90 to $4.54 per gallon
The price of jet fuel has been a topic of interest for many, especially those in the aviation industry. As of 2020, jet fuel prices in the lower 48 states of the US ranged from $3.90 to $4.54 per gallon. This price range is specific to Jet A Jet Fuel, a type of jet fuel commonly used in aircraft, including helicopters.
Jet fuel is a kerosene-based product with two main types: Jet-A and Jet-A1. Jet-A1, an improved version, can operate at temperatures as low as -47°C (-40°F), whereas Jet-A has a lower operating temperature of -40°C (-53°F). Additionally, Jet-A1 includes an anti-static additive, enhancing safety by preventing electrical static buildup.
The versatility of helicopters, including their ability to hover and take off and land almost anywhere, comes at a cost. Helicopters consume significantly more fuel than fixed-wing airplanes due to their rotors being solely responsible for generating lift. Moreover, hovering requires even more fuel than mid-flight cruising, as the main rotor must maintain the helicopter's position in the air.
The price of jet fuel for helicopters is generally comparable to that of other aircraft, such as airplanes. However, the total cost depends on the helicopter's fuel capacity and fuel efficiency. Larger helicopters can carry more fuel but may not necessarily have extended flight durations, as larger fuel tanks also increase the overall weight, requiring more fuel to generate the necessary power.
Factors like engine type and design also influence fuel efficiency. Piston-powered helicopters are typically cheaper to operate and more fuel-efficient for occasional flights or operations like sightseeing and law enforcement. In contrast, turbine-powered helicopters, including those with jet engines, offer greater power and performance but consume much more fuel.
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Fuel tank location: Under the main rotor
The weight of helicopter fuel depends on several factors, including the size, weight, and type of helicopter, as well as the engine type. For example, the smallest single-seat helicopter, the Mosquito XE, has a fuel capacity of 12 gallons/45 liters, while the largest helicopter in the world, the Mil Mi-26T, has a fuel tank capacity of 3170 gallons/12,000 liters.
Most helicopters are designed to hold enough fuel for between 1.5 and 3 hours of flying, with a 20-minute reserve. The more fuel a helicopter burns, the larger the fuel tank is designed to be to achieve this duration. Additional fuel tanks can be fitted to extend flight time for ferry flights and search and rescue missions. However, it is important to note that the bigger the helicopter and its fuel tank, the more weight it has to carry, and thus, more fuel is required to generate the required power to move that weight.
The fuel tank on a helicopter is typically located under the main rotor, as helicopters are sensitive to changes in the center of gravity. By keeping the fuel close to the main rotor mast, designers aim to prevent the aircraft's center of gravity from shifting drastically as the fuel tank empties. The exact location of the fuel tank can vary depending on the helicopter model, and it could be either above or below the cabin, or both.
One example of a helicopter with underfloor fuel tanks is the AW101 Merlin. Each engine on this helicopter is fed by a dedicated self-sealing fuel tank, with fuel supplied through dual booster pumps and a crossfeed system. The specific details of the fuel pipe layout can vary between different models and types of helicopters, but the general principle of keeping the fuel close to the main rotor to maintain stability remains consistent.
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Frequently asked questions
The weight of helicopter fuel depends on the type of fuel. For example, JP-5 jet fuel weighs 6.8 pounds per US gallon (0.81 kg/L).
Helicopters use either piston or turbine engines. Turbine engines, also known as jet engines, are used in medium-sized to large helicopters. Jet fuel is the most common type of fuel for turbine-powered helicopters.
The amount of fuel burned by a helicopter depends on its size, weight, type, and engine type. Helicopters burn more fuel when hovering than in mid-flight as the main rotor has to create all the lift to keep the helicopter in the air.
The cost of filling up a helicopter depends on the size of the helicopter and the price of fuel. For example, the smallest single-seat helicopter, the Mosquito XE, has a fuel capacity of 12 gallons/45 liters and costs around $60 to fill. In comparison, the largest helicopter in the world, the Mil Mi-26T, has a fuel tank capacity of 3170 gallons/12,000 liters and costs around $13,315 to fill.
Most helicopters are designed to hold enough fuel for between 1.5 and 3 hours of flying with a 20-minute reserve.
