
Fuel tanks are an important part of any aircraft, and their location is key to the plane's overall performance and safety. The Boeing 767 is equipped with a centre tank, left and right main tanks, and surge tanks in each wingtip. The centre tank fuel pumps have a higher output pressure than the left and right main tank fuel pumps. The wings are the most common location for fuel tanks on commercial aircraft, but tanks can also be located in the fuselage or empane. Integral fuel tanks can be located anywhere on the aircraft, while rigid removable fuel tanks are installed in a designated compartment.
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What You'll Learn
- The 767 plane's fuel system supplies fuel to the engines and the APU
- The 767 plane has a centre tank, left and right main tanks, and surge tanks in each wingtip
- Fuel balancing is achieved by opening crossfeed valves and turning off fuel pump switches
- The 767 plane's fuel tanks are integral tanks, a type of internal fuel tank
- Integral tanks are formed within the airframe structure, with the skin of the wing connected to its internal structure

The 767 plane's fuel system supplies fuel to the engines and the APU
Surge tanks are provided in each wingtip, and fuel from these tanks is drained to the centre tank. APU fuel is supplied from the left fuel manifold. It can be provided by any AC fuel pump supplying fuel to the left fuel manifold or by the left main tank DC fuel pump. Fuel balancing is accomplished by opening the crossfeed valves and turning off the fuel pump switches for the left or right main fuel tank that has the lower quantity. This can be done in any phase of flight.
The 767 can be flown with one main wing tank full and one tank empty. In this configuration, up to 30% of the available roll control may be required to maintain a wings-level attitude during approach and landing. However, substantial roll control would still be available for subsequent manoeuvring requirements.
Fuel quantity data, measured by probes in each tank, is fed to the fuel quantity processor where it is corrected for density and then displayed on a Fuel Quantity Indicator for each tank. The total fuel quantity is shown on the Total Fuel Quantity Indicator and is also provided to the FMC. When the total usable fuel in either the left or right main tank drops below approximately 1,000 kg, the FUEL CONFIG light illuminates and the LOW FUEL caution message is displayed.
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The 767 plane has a centre tank, left and right main tanks, and surge tanks in each wingtip
The Boeing 767 plane has multiple fuel tanks located in different parts of the aircraft. The fuel system supplies fuel to the engines and the APU (the aircraft's auxiliary power unit). The 767 plane has a centre tank, left and right main tanks, and surge tanks in each wingtip.
The centre tank contains two fuel pumps with twice the output pressure of the left and right main tank fuel pumps. When all six pumps are operational, the centre tank pumps override the left and right main tank pumps, so that fuel from the centre tank is used first. The centre tank fuel pump switches are turned off when there is more than 500 kg of fuel in the tank.
The left and right main tanks each contain two AC-powered fuel pumps. A single pump can supply sufficient fuel to operate one engine under all conditions. Fuel balancing is achieved by opening the crossfeed valves and turning off the fuel pump switches for the tank with the lower quantity.
Surge tanks are located in each wingtip and supply fuel to the centre tank. The fuel in the surge tanks is drained to the centre tank. The fuel quantity in each tank is measured by probes and is displayed on a Fuel Quantity Indicator. When the total usable fuel in either the left or right main tank drops below approximately 1000 kg, the FUEL CONFIG light illuminates, and a LOW FUEL caution message is displayed.
The location of fuel tanks can vary across different aircraft. In general, fuel tanks can be internal or external. Internal tanks include integral tanks, rigid removable fuel tanks, and bladder tanks. External tanks include conformal fuel tanks and drop tanks. Integral fuel tanks can be located anywhere on the aircraft, but the most common location is the wings or fuselage.
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Fuel balancing is achieved by opening crossfeed valves and turning off fuel pump switches
The Boeing 767 is a large aircraft with a complex fuel system. It has a centre tank and left and right main tanks, with surge tanks in each wingtip. The centre tank fuel pumps have a higher output pressure than the left and right main tank fuel pumps. As such, when all six pumps are operating, the centre tank pumps override the left and right main tank pumps, so that fuel from the centre tank is used first.
Fuel balancing is achieved by opening the crossfeed valves and turning off the fuel pump switches for the left or right main fuel tank with the lower quantity of fuel. This can be done in any phase of flight, including landing and taking off. The crossfeed valves are normally closed, providing fuel feed from the tank to the engine on the same side. However, when necessary, either valve can be opened to feed an engine from the opposite fuel tank. Only one open crossfeed valve is required for successful cross-feed operation.
The fuel quantity data, measured by probes in each tank, is fed to the fuel quantity processor. Here, it is corrected for density and displayed on a Fuel Quantity Indicator for each tank. The total usable fuel quantity is also displayed on a separate indicator. When the total usable fuel in either the left or right main tank drops below approximately 1000 kg, the FUEL CONFIG light illuminates and a LOW FUEL caution message is displayed.
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The 767 plane's fuel tanks are integral tanks, a type of internal fuel tank
The 767's fuel system consists of a centre tank and left and right main tanks, with surge tanks in each wingtip. The centre tank has two fuel pumps with higher output pressure than the left and right main tank pumps. When all six pumps are operational, the centre tank pumps override the main tank pumps, prioritising the use of fuel from the centre tank.
The integral wing tanks on the 767 require baffling to prevent fuel sloshing during manoeuvres. This is achieved through the use of spars with holes that allow fuel to pass through slowly. Additionally, the 767 can be flown with one main wing tank full and one tank empty, although this may require substantial roll control during landing.
The design of integral fuel tanks prioritises structural integrity first and fuel tank functionality second. The internal structure of the wing is connected to the skin of the wing, with sealed joints to prevent fuel leakage. This design approach results in the long horizontal nature of integral wing tanks, which necessitates the use of baffling.
Overall, the 767's integral fuel tanks, with their multiple tanks and pump configurations, showcase the complexity and precision of modern aircraft fuel systems, ensuring optimal performance and safety.
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Integral tanks are formed within the airframe structure, with the skin of the wing connected to its internal structure
The Boeing 767 is a multi-engine aircraft with a complex fuel system consisting of multiple fuel tanks. These tanks are located in the wings, the fuselage, or both.
The process of entering and conducting maintenance on an integral fuel tank requires strict adherence to safety procedures. All fuel must be drained, and fuel vapours must be removed before technicians enter the tank.
The operational life of an aircraft can exceed 30 years without significant fuel leaks. However, over time, maintenance costs may increase due to emerging issues, impacting the viability of continued operation.
The fuel system of the 767 includes a centre tank and left and right main tanks. The centre tank fuel pumps have a higher output pressure than the left and right main tank fuel pumps. When all pumps are operating, the centre tank pumps override the main tank pumps, prioritising the use of fuel from the centre tank.
The 767 can be flown with one main wing tank full and one tank empty, although this configuration may require additional roll control during approach and landing. Fuel balancing is achieved by opening crossfeed valves and turning off the fuel pump switches for the tank with a lower fuel quantity.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel tanks on a 767 plane are located in the wings, with surge tanks in each wingtip. The plane also has a centre tank, and left and right main tanks.
Yes, there are internal and external fuel tanks. Internal tanks include integral tanks, rigid removable fuel tanks, and bladder tanks. External tanks include conformal fuel tanks and drop tanks.
Integral fuel tanks are created from a structural point of view first and as a fuel tank second. The skin of the wing is connected to the internal structure of the wing, and the joints are sealed to prevent fuel leakage. Baffling is required to keep the fuel from sloshing when the plane manoeuvres.
Rigid removable fuel tanks are installed in a compartment designed to hold the tank. They are usually made of aluminium alloy or stainless steel components welded together. They are held in place with a quilted strap arrangement to prevent shifting in flight.











































