Mercedes Mullins
Helicopters generally use one of two types of fuel: piston engines burn AvGas, a high-octane, leaded fuel similar to car fuel, while turbine engines burn jet fuel, which is also used in jet airplanes. The amount of jet fuel burned by a helicopter depends on the size of the aircraft, with larger helicopters burning more fuel. For example, the Bell 212 burns around 100 gallons of jet fuel per hour, while the CH-47 Chinook burns between 350-400 gallons per hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Helicopter Fuel | Jet A, Jet A-1, Jet B, AvGas, JP-5, JP-8, F34, AVGAS 82UL, AVGAS 100, AVGAS 100LL |
| Helicopter Fuel Types by Engine Type | Piston engines use AvGas (100LL), Turbine engines use Jet A |
| Jet Fuel Composition | Mixture of hydrocarbons, predominantly kerosene-based |
| Jet Fuel Appearance | Clear to straw-coloured liquid |
| Jet Fuel Dispensing Nozzle | J spout or duckbill with a rectangular opening larger than 60 mm |
| Jet Fuel Cost | Varies, e.g., AvGas at $5.14/gallon, Jet A at $4.04/gallon |
| Helicopter Fuel Tank Capacity | Varies, e.g., 46.5 gallons usable fuel, total capacity of 46 gallons |
| Helicopter Fuel Consumption | Varies, e.g., Bell 212 burns 100 gallons/hour, CH-47 Chinook burns 350-400 gallons/hour |
| Helicopter Range on a Full Tank | Varies, e.g., 300 miles on a full tank for a helicopter with a cruising speed of 115 mph |
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What You'll Learn
Turbine-powered helicopters use jet fuel
Jet fuel is predominantly kerosene-based, with other additives designed to enhance or preserve specific properties important for performance and handling. It is a direct byproduct of petroleum or a combination of petroleum and synthetic fuel blends. The specific type of jet fuel used depends on the helicopter and varies across different regions. For example, Jet Fuel A is the most popular grade used in the United States, while other grades like Jet Fuel A-1 are more common in other countries.
The amount of jet fuel consumed by a helicopter depends on various factors, including the helicopter's size, engine type, operating conditions, and flight duration. For instance, a Bell 212 helicopter burns around 100 gallons of jet fuel per hour, while a twin-engine CH-47 Chinook burns between 350-400 gallons per hour in flight.
The cost of jet fuel for helicopters is generally comparable to the price of fuel for other aircraft, depending on the type of fuel and the volume purchased. However, the overall operating costs for larger, multi-engine turbine helicopters can be significantly higher due to increased fuel consumption and maintenance requirements.
In summary, turbine-powered helicopters use jet fuel, and the specific type, consumption, and cost vary based on several factors related to the helicopter's characteristics and operational context.
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Jet fuel grades and types
Not all helicopters run on jet fuel. Helicopters generally take one of two different kinds of fuel. Helicopters with piston engines burn AvGas, also known as 100LL, a high-octane, leaded fuel similar to automotive gasoline. Helicopter turbines, on the other hand, run on jet fuel, specifically Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B. Jet A is the most popular grade in the United States, but other grades like Jet A-1 are more common in other countries. Jet fuels are byproducts of petroleum or a combination of petroleum with synthetic fuel blends.
Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B fuels are colorless or straw-colored. To distinguish between the different types, fuel tanks and decals are colored black, gray, and yellow, respectively. Jet A and Jet A-1 can also be identified by their diesel-like smell.
AvGas is also dyed to aid in identification. The colors used are purple for AVGAS 82UL, green for AVGAS 100, and blue for AVGAS 100LL. AVGAS 100LL is the most common grade of AvGas used in piston-powered helicopters in North America and Western Europe. It contains three times the amount of tetraethyl lead per liter compared to car gasoline.
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Jet fuel cost
The cost of jet fuel is a significant factor in the overall operating costs of helicopters, especially for larger, multi-engine models. While fuel cost is a small fraction of the overall operating cost for helicopters, it can still be a large expense, depending on the size of the aircraft. For example, the Bell 212 helicopter burns around 100 gallons of jet fuel per hour, while the CH-47 Chinook burns between 350 and 400 gallons per hour.
The price of jet fuel varies, just like auto fuel. The cost of jet fuel at a local airport was recorded at $4.04 per gallon, while another airport with a fancy FBO that caters to business jets charged around $9 per gallon. The price of jet fuel for a helicopter is generally the same as for any other aircraft and depends on the type of fuel and the volume purchased. For instance, Jet A and Jet A-1 fuels are commonly used in the United States and other countries, respectively, and their prices can fluctuate based on market conditions and demand.
Helicopters typically use two types of fuel: piston engines that burn AvGas (also known as 100LL), and turbine engines that burn Jet A fuel. AvGas is a high-octane, leaded fuel similar to car fuel, although it contains three times the amount of tetraethyl lead per liter compared to car gasoline. Jet A fuel, on the other hand, is similar to jet airplane fuel and is also similar to diesel. The cost of AvGas was recorded at $5.14 per gallon, which is higher than the cost of Jet A fuel at the same airport.
The cost of jet fuel is not just limited to the fuel itself but also includes the maintenance and overhaul of the aircraft, which can be significant expenses. Additionally, the fuel efficiency of the helicopter, environmental factors, and the volume of fuel purchased can impact the overall fuel cost.
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AvGas vs JetA
Helicopters generally take one of two different kinds of fuel. Some helicopters with piston engines burn aviation gasoline, often referred to as AvGas or 100LL, a high-octane, leaded fuel similar to what you might put in a car. Other helicopters with turbine engines burn JetA, which is the same fuel used in jet airplanes.
AvGas is a highly refined form of gasoline for aircraft, with an emphasis on purity, anti-knock characteristics, and minimization of spark plug fouling. It is the only remaining lead-containing transportation fuel, and the lead in AvGas prevents damaging engine knock or detonation that can result in sudden engine failure. AvGas is sold in much lower volumes than JetA but to many more individual aircraft operators, whereas JetA is sold in high volumes to large aircraft operators, such as airlines and militaries.
JetA, on the other hand, is a kerosene-based fuel used in gas turbine-powered aircraft. It is clear to straw-coloured and is dispensed from a special nozzle called a J spout or duckbill, which has a rectangular opening larger than 60 mm diagonally. JetA is also known as clean diesel and can be used in tractors or big trucks without causing any harm.
The price of fuel for helicopters depends on the type of fuel and the volume purchased. For example, one source mentions that their local airport sells AvGas for $5.14/gallon and JetA for $4.04/gallon. Another source mentions refuelling at an airport with a price of around $9/gallon for AvGas. The cost of fuel is just a small fraction of the overall operating cost for helicopters, but it can still be a large expense for larger helicopter types, especially multi-engine turbines. For example, the Bell 212 burns around 100 gallons of jet fuel per hour, while the CH-47 Chinook burns between 350-400 gallons per hour.
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Jet fuel characteristics
Jet fuel, also known as aviation turbine fuel (ATF or avtur), is a type of aviation fuel designed for aircraft with gas-turbine engines. Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B are the most common types of jet fuel, with Jet A and Jet A-1 being the most popular grades used in commercial aviation. Jet B is used for its improved performance in cold weather.
Jet fuel is colourless to straw-coloured in appearance and has a diesel-like smell. It is a mixture of various hydrocarbons, with the exact composition varying based on the petroleum source. As a result, jet fuel is defined by its performance specifications rather than as a chemical compound. The range of molecular mass between hydrocarbons is determined by the product's requirements, such as freezing or smoke point.
The carbon number distribution in kerosene-type jet fuel (including Jet A, Jet A-1, JP-5, and JP-8) ranges from 8 to 16 carbon atoms per molecule, while wide-cut or naphtha-type jet fuel (including Jet B and JP-4) has a range of 5 to 15 carbon atoms per molecule. Military organisations use a different classification system, with JP standing for "Jet Propellant". While some military fuels are similar to their civilian counterparts, others are highly specialised for specific applications.
Jet fuel prices vary, with factors such as the airport's location and the type of jet fuel contributing to the cost. Generally, jet fuel prices fluctuate similarly to auto fuel prices. Jet fuel is considered safer to transport and handle than other fuels due to its lower flammability, which is a crucial characteristic for turbine engines.
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Frequently asked questions
Helicopters generally take one of two different kinds of fuel. Some helicopters with piston engines burn AvGas, which is also known as 100LL, a high-octane, leaded fuel similar to what you might put in a car. Other helicopters with turbine engines burn Jet A, which is the same fuel used in jet airplanes.
This depends on the type of helicopter. For example, the Bell 212 burns around 100 gallons of jet fuel an hour, while the CH-47 Chinook burns between 350-400 gallons an hour in flight.
Jet fuel is predominantly kerosene-based and is used in gas turbine-powered aircraft. It has a low viscosity at low temperatures, burns cleanly, and remains chemically stable when heated to high temperatures.
The price of jet fuel can vary, with some airports selling it for $4.04/gallon and others for $9/gallon.
