Sylvie Willis
The Boeing 747 is a popular aircraft used by many airlines, including Atlas Air, Kalitta Air, and Polar Air Cargo. The 747's fuel tank is enormous, taking up the entire wingspan of the plane. The fuel tanks are located in the wings, which is a common design for commercial airliners. This design is used because the wings naturally form large enclosed empty spaces, making them convenient for storing large volumes of liquid fuel. The fuel in the wings also counteracts the upward bending moment caused by lift, allowing for a lighter wing structure and increased payload capacity.
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What You'll Learn
The Boeing 747's fuel tank takes up the entire wingspan of the plane
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft that burns approximately 4 litres (0.9 gallons) of fuel every second while in flight. To accommodate this high fuel consumption, the 747's fuel tank takes up the entire wingspan of the plane. This design is common among commercial airliners, which typically store almost all of their fuel in their wings.
The 747's wings are naturally large and hollow, making them convenient for storing large volumes of liquid fuel. In addition, the weight of the fuel in the wings helps to counteract the upward bending moment caused by lift, allowing for a lighter wing structure and increasing the payload capacity of the plane.
The 747's fuel system consists of multiple tanks in each wing, as well as a central tank that was rarely used by the 1990s. Pilots can move fuel between these tanks to trim the aircraft and maintain stability. The fuel tanks also have individual sump drains, which are fully mechanical poppet valves used for complete drainage and fuel sampling.
While the latest variant of the 747, the 747-8, has reduced its reliance on wing tanks by redesigning the wing structure and improving engine efficiency, the 747's large wingspan fuel tanks remain a defining feature of its design. This feature sets it apart from fighter jets, which typically store only a fraction of their fuel in their wings to reduce the risk of explosion when hit by enemy fire.
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The 747 burns approximately 4L of fuel every second while in flight
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft with a high fuel capacity. The fuel tanks on a 747 are located within the entire wingspan of the plane, with additional tanks in the horizontal and vertical stabilisers. The aircraft consumes approximately 4 litres of fuel per second, which equates to 240 litres per minute and 14,000 litres per hour. This high fuel consumption is necessary to power the aircraft over long distances, carrying hundreds of passengers.
The 747's fuel efficiency is impressive when considered on a per-passenger basis. Over a 10-hour flight from Los Angeles to London, a 747 consumes around 36,000 gallons or 150,000 litres of fuel. However, with a capacity of 366 passengers, the fuel consumption per passenger-kilometre is surprisingly efficient.
The latest variant of the 747, the 747-8, has reduced its reliance on wing tanks compared to earlier models. This reduction is due to a redesigned wing structure and more efficient engines, allowing for extended range without increasing fuel capacity in the wings.
The high fuel consumption of the 747 is a trade-off between fuel efficiency, speed, and capacity. The aircraft's performance and range capabilities are made possible by its insatiable thirst for fuel, showcasing the engineering marvels in aviation.
The fuel used in the 747, JP8, is highly specialised and non-combustible under normal ground conditions. This fuel also serves as a coolant for the leading edges of the wings, a technique previously employed in the Saturn V's F-1 engines.
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The 747 has multiple fuel tanks in each wing
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft with a correspondingly large fuel capacity. The fuel tanks on a 747 take up the entire wingspan of the plane. This is due to the airfoil shape of the wings and their construction, which naturally form large empty spaces that are perfect for storing fuel. The weight of the fuel in the wings also counteracts the upward bending moment caused by lift, allowing for a lighter wing structure and increased payload capacity.
The exact number and configuration of fuel tanks in the wings of a 747 may vary depending on the specific variant of the aircraft. For example, the 747-8, the latest variant of the aircraft, has reduced reliance on wing tanks compared to earlier models due to a redesigned wing structure and more efficient engines.
The large fuel capacity of the 747 is necessary as the aircraft burns approximately 4 litres (0.9 gallons) of fuel every second while in flight. The fuel in the wings also helps to cool the engine oil, as the fuel is very cold relative to the hot oil.
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Pilots can move fuel around to trim the aircraft
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft with a fuel tank that takes up the entire wingspan of the plane. The wings of the 747 are large and naturally form big empty spaces, making them ideal for storing the large volume of liquid fuel that the aircraft needs. The weight of the fuel in the wings also counteracts the upward bending moment caused by lift, allowing for a lighter wing structure and, thus, a greater payload.
The 747-8, the latest variant of the aircraft, has reduced its reliance on wing tanks compared to earlier models. Its redesigned wing structure and more efficient engines have increased its range without requiring additional fuel capacity in the wings.
The Boeing 747 burns approximately 4 litres or 0.9 gallons of fuel every second while in flight. This means that pilots need to carefully manage the aircraft's fuel distribution to ensure optimal performance.
Pilots can move fuel around the various tanks in the 747 to trim the aircraft and maintain stability. While this is a rare occurrence, it can be necessary when the plane is close to a CG limit. The computers are programmed to draw fuel from the outboard tanks first and move inward, ensuring stability through fuel burn. This process helps to ensure a smooth and efficient flight, even when the aircraft is close to its limits.
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The 747-8 has less reliance on wing tanks than previous models
The Boeing 747 is a large aircraft that burns approximately 4 litres or 0.9 gallons of fuel per second while in flight. The fuel is stored in tanks that span the entire wingspan of the plane. The latest variant of the 747, the 747-8, has a reduced reliance on wing tanks compared to its predecessors. This is due to a redesigned wing structure and more efficient engines, which allow for an extended range without needing additional fuel capacity in the wings.
The 747-8 features a deeper and thicker wing, which allows for greater fuel capacity and improved aerodynamics. The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of the 747-8 is 975,000 pounds (442 tonnes), making it the heaviest Boeing airliner. The freighter version, with a shorter upper deck, can haul 308,000 pounds (140 tonnes) over 4,120 nautical miles. The passenger version of the 747-8 can hold 64,225 US gallons (243 cubic metres) of jet fuel, while the cargo version can hold 60,925 US gallons (231 cubic metres).
The 747-8 also has a redesigned wing structure, with larger raked wingtips that improve aerodynamics. The wingtips are angled to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency. In addition, the 747-8 is powered by a smaller and more efficient version of the General Electric GEnx turbofan engine, which was originally used on the 787 Dreamliner. This engine provides bleed air and has a smaller diameter to fit on the 747 wing.
In 2014, Boeing launched an improvement program for the 747-8 called "Project Ozark", which aimed to further improve the aircraft's range and fuel efficiency. One of the outcomes of this program was an engine Performance Improvement Package that resulted in a 2% lower fuel burn. Boeing also improved the function of the tail fuel tank and the flight management software. As a result of these improvements, aircraft produced from 2014 onwards weigh 9,000 pounds (4.1 tonnes) less than the first 747-8 and burn 3.5% less fuel.
The 747-8's reduced reliance on wing tanks is a significant advancement in the design of the 747 family of aircraft. By optimising the wing structure and engine efficiency, Boeing has been able to extend the range and improve the fuel efficiency of the 747-8 while reducing the need for additional fuel capacity in the wings. This makes the 747-8 a more efficient and capable aircraft than its predecessors.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel tanks on a Boeing 747 take up the entire wingspan of the plane.
Yes, there are also fuel tanks in the vertical stabilizer of some 747s.
All tanks in transport category aircraft have individual sump drains, which are fully mechanical poppet valves. To drain the fuel, you press against the poppet, unseating it and allowing fuel to flow.
