Jet fuel or aviation turbine fuel (ATF, also abbreviated avtur) is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is colorless to straw-colored in appearance. The most commonly used fuels for commercial aviation are Jet A and Jet A-1, which are produced to a standardized international specification. Jet fuel is a mixture of a large number of different hydrocarbons. The range of their sizes (molecular weights or carbon numbers) is restricted by the requirements for the product, for example, freezing point or smoke point. Kerosene-type jet fuel (including Jet A and Jet A-1) has a carbon number distribution between about 8 and 16 carbon numbers; wide-cut or naphtha-type jet fuel (including Jet B), between about 5 and 15 carbon numbers. There different types of jet fuel;

Civil Jet Fuels:

AVGAS usually is utilized in power piston engine aircraft. These aircraft are usually used by flying clubs, flying schools, or private pilots. Currently the number of aircraft fueled by AVGAS is larger than aircraft fueled by Jet fuel. But since AVGAS power small aircraft, the volume of Jet Fuel sold is higher than AVGAS sold. AVGAS can be 100 and 100LL (low lead). While AVGAS 100 is a high-octane aviation fuel, with high lead in it. AVGAS 100LL has low lead content. Also, AVGAS 100 is dyed green and AVGAS 100 LL is dyed blue.

Jet A-1 is a kerosene grade of fuel suitable for most turbine engined aircraft. It is produced to a stringent internationally agreed standard, has a flash point above 38°C (100°F) and a freeze point maximum of -47°C. It is widely available outside the USA. Jet A-1 meets the requirements of British specification DEF STAN 91-91 (Jet A-1), (formerly DERD 2494 (AVTUR)), ASTM specification D1655 (Jet A-1) and IATA Guidance Material (Kerosene Type), NATO Code F-35.

Jet A is a similar kerosene type of fuel, produced to an ASTM specification and normally only available in the USA. It has the same flash point as Jet A-1 but a higher freeze point maximum (-40°C). It is supplied against the ASTM D1655 (Jet A) specification.

Jet B is a distillate covering the naphtha and kerosene fractions. It can be used as an alternative to Jet A-1 but because it is more difficult to handle (higher flammability), there is only significant demand in very cold climates where its better cold weather performance is important. In Canada it is supplied against the Canadian Specification CAN/CGSB 3.23.

TS-1 in Russia and other CIS nations, the primary Jet Fuel is TS-1. This Jet fuel is kerosene type. It’s freeze point is -50°C, which is lower than even Jet A1. But it is essential for flying in colder weather.

Military:

Jet-4 is the military equivalent of Jet B with the addition of corrosion inhibitor and anti-icing additives; it meets the requirements of the US. Military specification MIL-PRF-5624S grade JP-4. JP-4 also meets the requirements of the British Specification DEF STAN 91-88 AVTAG/FSII (formerly DERD 2454),where FSII stands for Fuel Systems Icing Inhibitor. NATO Code F-40.

Jet-5 is a high flash point kerosene meeting the requirements of the US. Military Specification MIL-PRF-5624S Grade JP-5. JP-5 also meets the requirements of the British Specification DEF STAN 91-86 AVCAT/FSII (formerly DERD 2452). NATO Code F-44.

Jet-8 is the military equivalent of Jet A-1 with the addition of corrosion inhibitor and anti-icing additives; it meets the requirements of the US. Military Specification MIL-T-83188D. JP-8 also meets the requirements of the British Specification DEF STAN 91-87 AVTUR/FSII (formerly DERD 2453). NATO Code F-34.

Russian JP54 is an abbreviation for “Jet Propulsion, A1, Colonial Grade 54″. During the refining process only 15% of the crude oil is made up of JP54 the rest of the grade is used for different types of plastic. Developed by JP Morgan, Colonial grade JP54 was replaced by AVGAS also known as AVGAS100LL. Actually most jet fuel exported from Russia is “JP54” or “Colonial JP54”. It is similar to “Jet A” except the the Specific Energy is 18.4 mj/kg compared to that of 42.8 mj/kg of “Jet A”.

Other Types of Aviation Fuel:
We have discussed the main four aviation fuels used for Commercial planes fuel, Military Airplane fuel, Private jet fuel, and in general aviation. But there are some other types of aviation fueling too. These aviation fuel are used in special conditions or situations like extreme weather.