What is a external fuel tank?

In aviation, a drop tank (external tank, wing tank, or belly tank) is used to describe auxiliary fuel tanks externally carried by aircraft. A drop tank is expendable and often jettisonable.

Where is fuel stored on a 747?

The aircraft fuel is stored in the CWT, wing fuel tanks, aft fuel tanks and sometimes in horizontal stabilizer fuel tank, e.g., Boeing 747-400.

Why are aircraft fuel tanks vented to the outside?

Each tank is vented (or pressurised) to allow air into the tank to take the place of burned fuel; otherwise, the tank would be in negative pressure which would result in engine fuel starvation. A vent also allows for changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature.

Where does the external fuel tank land?

Disposable fuel tanks During launch, tank and boosters are jettisoned and fall back to Earth after a shuttle’s initial push to the sky. Unlike the boosters, however, the external tank is not collected and reused. Instead, the tanks are discarded to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

Where is Aeroplane fuel stored?

Placement. On passenger planes, fuel tanks are often integrated into the wings, and when there are also tanks inside the body of the aircraft, the wing tanks are used preferentially. The placement reduces the stress on the wings during takeoff and flight, by putting the heavy fuel directly inside the source of lift.

Where does plane store its fuel?

Most aircraft store a large amount of the fuel in the wings between the forward and rear spars. The ribs of the wings have openings to allow the fuel to flow towards the fuselage for a single engine aircraft or toward the engine for under wing engines.

What is aircraft fuel vent?

The vent exists so the tank can breathe; so when you overfill the tank, it has a place where the air and fuel can escape. Venting is also important when the airplane climbs and descends, as air pressure is altered by atmospheric changes. Fuel expands in volume as it warms up and shrinks in volume as it cools down.

Where are aircraft fuel vents?

In most light aircraft, the fuel tanks are located inside the wings. A filler cap on top of the wing allows them to be filled; drains in the bottom allow fuel samples to be drawn for inspection and any moisture to be removed. Vents allow internal pressures to equalize.

Where is airplane fuel stored?

wings
Placement. On passenger planes, fuel tanks are often integrated into the wings, and when there are also tanks inside the body of the aircraft, the wing tanks are used preferentially. The placement reduces the stress on the wings during takeoff and flight, by putting the heavy fuel directly inside the source of lift.