ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of fuel management on a range of aircraft types. The management of fuel is essential for the safe and economic operation of aircraft. The scope of fuel management depends on the size and type of aircraft; fuel is delivered to the engines using a variety of methods. The system comprises fuel quantity indication, distribution, refuelling, defuelling and fuel jettison. On a typical passenger aircraft, the fuel is contained within the sealed wing box structure. The fuel tanks are divided into main tanks, reserve tanks and centre wing tanks. The fuel quantity reading is then taken from a reference point on the surface of the wing. The majority of turbine-powered aircraft fuel quantity-indicating systems use the capacitive fuel quantity system. Fuel tank sensors are located throughout each tank and are monitored by an electronic control system. Accurate readings can be obtained by capacitive fuel quantity systems in large and irregular-shaped tanks.
