Aviation

How does storing fuel in the wings help during long-haul flights?

Most aircraft store their fuel in the wings, a method known as using integral fuel tanks. These are sections of the aircraft structure that are sealed to allow for fuel storage.

A common example is the “wet wing,” which is typically found in larger aircraft. Since these tanks are part of the aircraft’s structure, they cannot be removed for service or inspection.

Instead, inspection panels are provided for internal inspection, repair, and servicing of the tank. Large transport aircraft often use this system to store fuel in the wings, fuselage, and empennage.a321 fuel burn per hour

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On some long-haul flights, fuel can make up to one-third of the aircraft’s total weight. Storing this heavy weight in the main body of the aircraft would leave insufficient room for luggage and negatively impact the aircraft’s structure. Therefore, fuel is stored in the wings.

By storing fuel in the rear of the plane could cause the front part to lift during flight due to the excess weight. As fuel is consumed, most fuel efficient commercial aircraft the front part would lean forward during landing.

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To avoid this issue, fuel is stored in the wings, which reduces pressure on them during flight and evenly distributes the load across the entire airframe.

Aviation

Aeroflot Buys Used Planes for Spare Parts Amid Sanctions

In the face of ongoing Western sanctions that have severely impacted Russia’s aviation industry, Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, has devised a strategic plan to bolster its fleet’s spare parts inventory.

The airline is set to acquire five Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from Atran Airlines, a move that will allow it to dismantle the aircraft for critical components. The planes, which will be transferred to Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda, will not be converted into passenger jets but instead will be stripped for valuable parts to support existing operations.

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Aeroflot’s plan to purchase these Boeing 737-800BCF freighters comes as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions, which have crippled the Russian aviation sector. With the sanctions restricting access to essential aircraft parts and spare components, Aeroflot is exploring alternative ways to maintain and repair its fleet.

Instead of converting the freighters from cargo to passenger planes, a process deemed “unreasonably expensive” under current sanctions, the airline intends to focus on extracting high-value components such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and other essential systems.

The deal will be structured in a way that allows Aeroflot to indirectly purchase the freighters through an insurance settlement with the aircraft’s lessor, AerCap.

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The Russian government’s insurance company will reimburse the aircraft’s value, and the planes will then be leased back to local operators. This method circumvents some of the restrictions imposed by international sanctions while ensuring that the airline gains access to the necessary components to support its fleet.

By dismantling the aircraft for spare parts, Aeroflot aims to secure critical resources for the ongoing maintenance of its existing fleet. Components from the Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, such as engines and avionics, are expected to be reused in other aircraft within Aeroflot’s network, ensuring that the airline can keep its operations running smoothly