Regan Brown
Airplane and car engines are designed for different types of fuel, and while plane fuel can be used in cars, it will not work efficiently. Airplane engines operate at a lower rpm than car engines and have a constant airflow to aid in cooling, with instant throttle response. The fuel used in planes usually has a lower nitro content and a higher oil content than car fuel. Jet fuel is also subject to rigorous testing for impurities, which is not the case for car fuel.
Characteristics of airplane and car fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine load | Airplane engines run at a relatively low rpm and see a consistent, linear engine load. Car engines spend most of their life accelerating and are seldom at full RPM for more than a few seconds. |
| Engine environment | Airplane engines have a constant airflow from the prop to aid in cooling and instant throttle response. Car engines rely on an oversized heat sink head to dissipate combustion heat. |
| Oil content | Airplane fuel has a higher oil content (15-20%) than car fuel. |
| Nitro content | Airplane fuel has a lower nitro content (10-15%) than car fuel. |
| Fuel type | The primary fuel types used in ground transportation are diesel and gasoline. Aviation fuel includes kerosene-grade fuels like Jet A and Jet A-1. |
| Purity | Jet fuel is subject to stricter controls and is more pure than highway diesel. |
| Freezing point | Jet fuel is designed to not freeze in tanks at altitude. |
| Cost | Jet fuel is more expensive than car fuel. |
| Fueling process | Smaller planes and helicopters use overwing fueling, which is similar to car fueling. Larger aircraft use underwing or single-point refueling. |
| Fuel distribution | Fuel distribution in larger aircraft with multiple attachment points can be automated or controlled from a control panel. |
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Jet fuel vs car fuel
Jet fuel and car fuel are not the same and have distinct differences. Jet fuel is generally clear to straw-coloured and is pumped into aircraft using a special nozzle with a rectangular opening larger than 60 mm, called a J spout or duckbill. Jet fuel is also known as Jet-A in the US and Jet A-1 internationally, and it belongs to the kerosene family. It has a flashpoint of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and produces about 125,000 BTU per gallon. The high flashpoint is chosen to mitigate the elevated fire risk associated with large fuel tanks in modern jetliners. Jet fuel is subject to rigorous testing for impurities, and any fuel that fails these tests is resold for ground applications.
Car fuel, on the other hand, primarily consists of diesel and gasoline, with diesel producing 130,000 BTU per gallon and gasoline producing 112,000 BTU per gallon. Diesel is heavier and more oily in appearance. Historically, diesel produced higher emissions, including sulfur, but regulations and refining process improvements have mitigated this issue.
The performance requirements of jet engines and car engines differ significantly, leading to variations in the composition of their fuels. Airplane engines operate at a relatively low RPM with a consistent, linear engine load, and they have a constant airflow to aid in cooling. In contrast, car engines spend most of their time accelerating and are rarely at full RPM. As a result, airplane fuel typically contains a higher percentage of oil (15-20%) and a lower nitro content than car fuel. Running plane fuel in a car is possible, but the engine will not perform optimally.
In terms of pricing, car fuel is generally more expensive than plane fuel. This is partly due to the higher purity requirements of jet fuel, which ensure that it won't freeze or leave deposits in the engine. These additional controls contribute to the higher cost of jet fuel.
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Engine requirements
Car engines typically operate at varying speeds, with frequent acceleration and deceleration, and spend most of their life accelerating from one speed to another. They rely on an oversized heat sink head to dissipate combustion heat, and car racers tune their engines based on throttle response. In contrast, airplane engines run at a relatively low rpm and experience a consistent, linear engine load. They have a constant airflow from the propeller to aid in cooling and have an instant throttle response.
The structural differences between car and aircraft engines dictate the type of fuel they require. Car engines, for instance, can burn gasoline or diesel, depending on the model. Modern cars with catalytic converters and oxygen sensors in the exhaust system require unleaded gasoline as the lead byproducts will damage the catalyst matrix and oxygen sensors. On the other hand, older cars, such as a 1950s Plymouth Belvedere, can burn leaded fuel without any issues.
Aircraft engines, on the other hand, use jet fuel, also known as Jet-A or Avgas, which is a kerosene-grade fuel with a higher flashpoint than automotive gasoline. This is important because the large fuel tanks of modern jetliners could present an elevated fire risk if they stored low flashpoint fuels. Jet fuel is also subject to rigorous testing for impurities, ensuring that it remains "clean" and does not cause problems in fuel filters or leave deposits inside the engine. Additionally, the purity of jet fuel means that it won't freeze in the tanks at high altitudes.
While it is technically possible to use airplane fuel in a car engine, as seen in some RC car forums, it is not recommended as it can result in poor engine performance. The main difference in the fuel itself is in the percentage of nitro and oil content. Airplane fuel typically has a lower nitro content (10-15%) and a higher oil content (15-20% or more), while car fuel tends to have a higher nitro content (20-30%) and a lower oil content.
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Fuel distribution
The fuel distribution process differs between airplanes and cars, owing to the different types of fuel used and the unique requirements of each vehicle.
In terms of fuel type, airplanes typically use either 100LL avgas or Jet-A, while cars generally run on gasoline or diesel. The specific fuel needs to be distributed to the correct vehicle, with Jet-A being unsuitable for cars and vice versa. This is due to differences in molecular weight and boiling points/vapour pressure, with jet fuel needing to be purer and cleaner to prevent freezing and clogging at high altitudes.
For airplanes, fuel distribution is a critical aspect of the aircraft's fuel system. The fuel is stored in various tanks located in the wings, centre body, fuselage, or tail, depending on the aircraft type and size. During flight, fuel is strategically drawn from these tanks to control the centre of gravity and relieve wing-bending stresses. For instance, in larger aircraft with both inner and outer wing tanks, fuel from the inner tank is used first, followed by the outer tank. Additionally, surge tanks are employed to capture any fuel overflow and to maintain positive pressure in the main fuel tanks, preventing excessive evaporation at high altitudes.
The distribution process involves routing fuel through a series of pumps, valves, and filters to ensure precise and efficient delivery to the engines. This includes low-pressure and high-pressure pumps, fuel/oil heat exchangers, and fuel filters to maintain optimal temperature and remove debris. The fuel selector valve allows the pilot to choose the active tank, with some systems requiring the alternation between left and right tanks to maintain balance.
In cars, the distribution process depends on the type of engine and fuel used. Modern cars with catalytic converters and oxygen sensors require unleaded fuel to prevent lead byproducts from damaging the catalyst matrix and sensors. Flex-fuel car engines, on the other hand, are designed to burn flex fuel, which is not suitable for aviation due to economic and purity constraints.
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Fuel sources
The fuel sources used by airplanes and cars differ, with aviation fuel generally being jet fuel or avgas, and car fuel being gasoline or diesel. Jet fuel is clear to straw-colored and is pumped into aircraft at high pressure through a special nozzle called a J spout or duckbill. Jet fuel is also subject to rigorous testing for impurities, and it has a higher energy density and higher flashpoint than avgas, which is why it is used in large jetliners. The most common jet fuels are Jet A (in the US) and Jet A-1 (internationally). Avgas, on the other hand, is sold for smaller, individual airplanes and has a lower flashpoint.
The primary fuel types used in ground transportation are diesel and gasoline. Gasoline is also known as petrol and has an octane level that varies. Diesel fuel is heavier and more oily in appearance and has historically produced higher emissions, although this is changing due to increased regulation and improvements in refining processes.
Airplane and car engines operate in different environments, with airplane engines running at a relatively low rpm and experiencing a consistent, linear engine load. Car engines, on the other hand, spend most of their time accelerating and are rarely at full RPM for more than a few seconds. As a result, airplane fuel typically has a lower nitro content (10-15%) and a higher oil content (15-20%) than car fuel, which usually has 20-30% nitro content.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG) are being considered as potential future fuel sources for aircraft, as they can be used with minimal carbon emissions if produced using renewable energy. However, they are currently more expensive than conventionally produced aviation fuels.
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Fuel taxation
While airplane and car fuel differ in terms of usage, they are taxed similarly. The taxation of fuel is a complex and varied process, differing across jurisdictions. In the United States, for example, federal taxes include excise taxes, which are levied on gasoline and diesel fuel at different rates. As of July 1, 2024, federal excise taxes were 18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.3 cents per gallon on diesel fuel. Additionally, a Leaking Underground Storage Tank fee of 0.1 cents per gallon is applied to both fuels.
State taxes add further complexity, with rates including excise, environmental, special, and inspection fees. These rates vary from state to state, and county and local taxes can also apply. For instance, in Indiana, the Motor Carrier Fuel Tax (MCFT) rate is adjusted periodically. From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the MCFT rate for alternative fuel is $0.59 per gallon, while gasoline is taxed at $0.35 per gallon.
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) comes into play for interstate carriers travelling in Indiana and at least one other state or Canada. In such cases, an IFTA license and decals are required. Similarly, intrastate vehicles operating only within Indiana are subject to the MCFT, and a fuel tax account, MCFT license, and decals are necessary.
Businesses can claim a Fuel Tax Credit for specific work-related activities involving nontaxable uses of fuel. This includes off-highway business use, such as equipment and vehicles operating on private property or construction sites. However, it is important to carefully assess eligibility to avoid incorrect claims and potential penalties.
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Frequently asked questions
No, they are not the same. Jet fuel is clear to straw-coloured and is dispensed from a special nozzle, whereas car fuel is generally diesel or gasoline.
The most common jet fuels are Jet A (US) and Jet A-1 (international), and they are kerosene-grade fuels with a flashpoint of 100 degrees F.
The primary fuel types used in cars are diesel and gasoline. Diesel is heavier and more oily than gasoline.
Jet fuel can be used in cars but it would be prohibitively expensive. Car engines operate in a different environment to airplane engines and are treated much more harshly.
