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Different Types of Aviation Fuel or Jet Fuel Use & Export
Aviation fuel is one of the most essential requirements of flight operations. However, not all flight operators are familiar with the different types of fuel used in airplanes. Some of them are frequently confused by the fuel types and specifications!
What are the different types of aviation fuel? What is the difference between all those types? What kind of fuel do airplanes use? Which is the suitable aviation fuel for a specific aircraft?
Due to its long experience in providing all types of clean and reliable airplane fuel, Canaf Fuels answers all these questions and provides a classification of airplane fuel type
What Jet Fuel Does Each Aircraft Require?
Which fuel is used in airplanes?
In general aviation, there are two main aircraft fuel types, which are AVGAS and Jet Fuel. Choosing the right aviation fuel for your aircraft depends mainly on its engine type. AVGAS, or aviation gasoline, is used for piston-engine aircraft. These types of aircraft fly through the rotation of the propellers which generate the thrust. While Jet Fuel is used for aircraft with turbine-engine jets. These fly with the thrust of expelled air.
What Are the Main Types of Aviation Fuel?
What kind of fuel do airplanes use? What is airplane’s fuel name ? There are various types of airplane fuel available worldwide. However, commercial airplanes, private jets, and general aviation aircraft widely use and depend on two main types of airplane fuel: Jet Fuel and AVGAS.
As previously mentioned, the main determiner of which aviation fuel type to choose is your aircraft engine type!
Jet Fuel
Jet fuel is a colorless, refined kerosene-based type of fuel. It is used for airplanes with turbine engines, like jet engines and turboprops.
Jet Fuel is available in two types, too. Jet A and Jet A1.
What Are the Differences Between Jet A and Jet A1?
Despite some differences in the manufacturing specifications between the two Jet Fuel types, both can be used interchangeably to operate turbine-engines airplanes.
The main differences between Jet A and Jet A1 are:
- Freezing points. Jet A freezing point is -40°C, while Jet A1 freezes at -47° The lower freezing point of Jet A1 makes it more suitable for international long-haul flights, especially the ones overflying polar routes.
- Additives: Jet A does not regularly include static dissipater additives. These additives help to decrease the static charges which could form due to the movement of Jet Fuel. Jet A1 mostly contains static dissipater additives.
- Jet A is mainly used in the U.S, while Jet A1 is more common in the rest of the world.
AVGAS
Aviation gasoline, or AVGAS, is the type of aviation fuel that powers small piston-engine airplanes. These airplanes are usually operated by flying clubs, flight training jets, and private pilots.
AVGAS is the only available airplane fuel that still contains amounts of tetraethyl lead additive. Tetraethyl lead prevents harming the engine knock or detonation, which can cause unexpected engine failures. However, it is a toxic substance for humans in case of inhalation or absorption into the bloodstream.
For this reason, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) is cooperating with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to eliminate this substance from AVGAS.
AVGAS also includes two main types, which are AVGAS 100 and AVGAS 100LL. The 100 in both types refers to the octane rating.
What Are the Differences Between AVGAS 100 and AVGAS 100LL?
- The key difference between both types is the percentage of the included tetraethyl lead additive. AVGAS 100 has high lead content, while AVGAS 100LL (low lead) includes low amounts of tetraethyl lead, as the name refers.
- AVGAS 100 is dyed green, whereas AVGAS 100LL is dyed blue.
Now, since you became familiar with choosing the aviation fuel type that suits your aircraft, you need to supply the aircraft with fuel from a trusted fuel provider like Canaf Fuels .
Jet Fuel Vs. AVGAS – What Are the Differences?
Jet Fuel
Jet Fuel
Now that you know about the specifications and uses of both Jet Fuel and AVGAS, Canaf Fuels presents the following comparison of AVGAS Vs. Jet Fuel:
Jet Fuel
Jet Fuel
Jet Fuel
- Jet Fuel is easier to obtain, it is reached earlier than AVGAS during the refining process of crude oil.
- Although it operates huge engines, Jet Fuel price is cheaper because of its simple refining methods.
- The number of airplanes operated by AVGAS is higher.
- Sales volume is lower.
AVGAS
Jet Fuel
AVGAS
- Takes longer to be distilled when being refined. It also requires additional reforming and combining processes.
- More Expensive than Jet Fuel
- The number of airplanes operated by Jet Fuel is lower.
- Sales volume is higher
Other Types of Aviation Fuel
Other Types of Aviation Fuel?
The above-mentioned Jet Fuel variations and AVGAS variations form the main four aviation fuel types used for different aircraft worldwide. But there are other types of aircraft fuel, too. Flight operators and airlines use these types only in special conditions or situations like extreme weather. The most common other airplane fuel types are:
TS-1
Russia and CIS nations mainly depend on this type of aviation fuel for operating their airplanes. TS-1 has a low freeze point of -50° C, which makes it essential for flying in the cold weather of these areas. Moreover, the TS-1 flashpoint is 28°C, giving it high volatility.
Jet B
Jet B contains a light mixture of about 30% kerosene and 70% gasoline. This type of airplane fuel is essential in extremely cold countries like Canada and Alaska, as it has a freeze point of -60° C. However, its dangerously flammable kerosene-gasoline mixture makes it rare to use.
JP-8
JP-8 is an aviation fuel that mainly operates military aircraft, especially NATO air forces and the U.S military. This type of aircraft fuel is similar to Jet A1, but JP-8 has additional anti-icing and corrosion inhibitor additives to cover the logistical and operational differences between military and commercial airplanes.
JP-5
JP-5 is a yellow, kerosene-based airplane fuel that commonly operates military aircraft fuelling. This fuel type is a complex combination of hydrocarbons including naphthene and alkanes. This mixture gives JP-5 a high flashpoint of 60° C and allows it to avoid the risk of fire that accompanies aircraft carriers transportation.
What Is sustainable Aviation Fuel?
Sustainable aviation fuel is a game-changer in the aviation sector. It is the eco-friendly alternative to regular airplane fuels. All the different types of regular aviation fuel contribute to the increase of global warming and climate change because of their high rates of Co₂ emission.
Sustainable aviation fuel is becoming more demanded recently since it could turn the aviation sector from being responsible for about around 2-3% of the global carbon emission into a sector that follows high sustainability strategies.
If you like to know more about the benefits of this airplane fuel type and its environmental benefit
Aviation Fuel Prices
With international flight restrictions worldwide, aviation fuel oversupply and decreased demand have seriously affected aviation fuel prices. From AVGAS price to JetA1, fuel prices are dropping worldwide, with a great deal of disparity. According to AirNav, currently, AVGAS 100LL price nationwide in the US is an average of $4.60, with the lowest being $2.20 going maximum to $11.40. You can also check IATA’s Jet Fuel Monitor to see the graphs of how aviation fuel price is dropping in the industry.
Aviation Fuel in the Times of the Coronavirus
With the current upheaval in the world and travel restrictions, the aviation industry is facing fuel demand fears, affecting the aviation fuel price. Airplane fuel suppliers and experts have suggested that airplane fuel could take years to recover. But the aviation industry is pivoting and trying to get back to normal. Private flights and cargo flights are flying smoothly in many nations.
Due to the fluctuation in jet fuels, it is always recommended to trust an aviation fuel seller like Canaf Fuels. The sufficient amount of aviation fuel Canaf Fuels tradesand refines BLCO through the year and our strategy to procure jet fuel from our local Thai JV fuel suppliers enable Canaf Fuels to offer you aviation fuel supply at the best price. Whether it is AVGAS price or Jet A1, we offer you the best quality aviation fuel at the best rate in the market.
Aviation fuel supply
Through our worldwide network our JV Fuels, Canaf Fuels trades and refines BLCO for domestic, industrial and transport use, export, and shipping of aviation fuel suppliers, we provide aircraft fuelling services including JET A1 aviation fuel in most international, national, commercial, and private airports around the world. With enough notice, we can also supply your aircraft with AVGAS aviation fuel upon request. We are in JV contract with major, regional, and local aviation fuel suppliers around the world, and are always equipped to offer professional aviation fuel services according to your plane fuelling specifications and needs.
Competitive Pricing for Aircraft Fuelling with a Direct Impact on Your Bottom Line
We provide aviation fuel services in almost every commercial and private airport around the world, as well as many military airports. This makes that Canaf Fuels can directly supply fuel, which is why we are an aviation fuel seller, trades, refines, export, shipping, storage, and transport to your destination. With the fuel cost being the largest direct operating cost of any flight, being diligent when shopping for your aviation fuel is imperative. At Canaf Fuels, we believe that all aircraft fuelling savings per litter or gallon reflects hugely on your flight department’s annual fuel bill.
Our procurement strategy is to sale from Canaf Fuels to local aviation fuel suppliers. We supply from our sales, trades, refines, export, shipping, storage, and transport to your destination or international suppliers to ensure that our clients are getting the best possible value. We also contract with other aviation fuel suppliers in every location to provide our clients with the best competitive prices of aviation fuel. This strategy, in addition to the volume of fuel we sales per year, allows us to offer competitive and cost-effective jet fuel rates. This holds true regardless of whether payment is made in cash, by credit card, or through a local FBO or ground handler.
Finally, our search for competitive aviation fuel prices does not compromise our commitment to quality and safety. In fact, Canaf Fuels only sales jet fuel that complies with international standards and tests.