Many people may have heard the commotion over the environmental impact of celebrities using private jets to get around. This is down largely to reduced passenger numbers and the fuel used – but what fuel do private jets use?
Private jets use jet fuel that is designed for use in aircraft with gas-turbine engines. There are two main types of jet fuel, and this includes Jet A fuel, which is used in the USA, and Jet A-1 fuel, which is used in many other parts of the world.
In this article, we will learn more about jet fuel, and look at the environmental impact of private jets.
More About Jet Fuel for Private Jets
When it comes to private jets, the tank naturally has to be filled with the right fuel. The type of fuel that is used in private jets is jet fuel, and this type of fuel is designed specifically for private aircraft with gas-turbine engines.
It is worth noting that there are two types of jet fuel, the one that is used depends on where you are in the world. In the United States and some parts of Canada, Jet A fuel is used while in other parts of the world it is known as Jet A-1 fuel.
There is a third variation, which is Jet B fuel, but this is hardly ever used. Often, jet fuel is known simply as JP54 to members of the aviation crew. Those who are responsible for filling up the tank of the private jet generally refer to is simply as fuel.
While jet fuel is an unavoidable cost for those with private jets, the cost of the fuel can vary considerably. In addition, the burn rate of the fuel in private jets can vary based on a range of factors.
Why Are Private Jets Bad for the Environment?
Most people have heard the controversy over the use of private jets by the rich and famous. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle caused quite a stir last year after it was revealed that they had been using private jets to get around despite speaking out about environmental issues.
There are various reasons why private jets are considered bad for the environment. One of these is the fact that there are fewer passengers onboard, which means that the carbon footprint per passenger is much higher.
Because of the size of these jets, the amount of fuel burnt is much lower than with a commercial aircraft. This means that the emissions from these jets are also much lower than with a commercial aircraft.
However, crucially it is the fact that only a handful of people travel on these private jets. On the other hand, you have hundreds of people traveling on commercial aircraft.
The carbon footprint per passenger on a private jet can vary based on a range of factors. This includes the exact number of passengers, the make and model of the jet, and the distance it is traveling among other things.
How Much Fuel Do Private Jets Consume?
The burn rate of fuel on private jets can vary based on a variety of factors. Naturally, the greater the fuel consumption, the more it costs to operate the private jet and fill up the tank.
For those who have private jets, the cost of fuel is a major factor in terms of operational costs. As mentioned earlier, this is something that can vary widely depending on the airport you are fueling up at.
However, it is also important to consider the burn rate, as this will determine how much and how often you need to refuel the aircraft. This will then also have an impact on the running costs for a private jet.
One of the things that can have an impact on the burn rate of fuel on private jets is the size of the aircraft. Lighter, smaller private jets will generally burn less fuel than their larger, heavier counterparts.
In fact, the burn rate difference based on the size of the aircraft can be considerable. Some heavy private jets can burn close to three times the amount of fuel as some very light jets.
Another thing that must be considered when it comes to the burn rate of private jet fuel is the age of the aircraft. This can also have a considerable impact on burn rate and, therefore, on the cost of fueling the aircraft.
Older private jets are likely to be far less efficient due to older technology. However, modern private jets have considerably better specifications that can help to make them far more fuel-efficient.
An Expensive Way to Travel
While traveling via private jet may seem like a fabulous way to get around, it is also a very expensive means of traveling. It is not only costly in terms of fueling, but also in terms of its impact on the environment.