I understand the general “how” aspect in that the planes use a special fuel line to get the fuel to the plane.
How can they do it safely with the engine on however? Thinking about refuelling a car you have to turn your engine off, when a plane/helicopter refuels mid flight they obviously have their engine on. Is there differences in how they get/store fuel that makes it safer or just differences in the type of engine?
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Aircraft are meticulously maintained. Cars on the other hand is a crap shoot. Most modern cars have little to zero risk of catching fire while fueling, especially with a functional vapor recovery system on the pumps.
Let’s turn the clocks back forty years ago. Most pumps didn’t have any vapor control systems, most cars had spark plug wires and carburetors. Some still had points ignition. Not everyone had new cars, much like today. Spark leak, engine back fire (out the carb or exhaust), along with all the fuel vapors on a hot windless day could have the potential for disaster.
The biggest risk, even today, is getting in and out the car while fueling. Static electric shocks have the potential to light fuel vapors and most people don’t ground themselves until they’ve reached the fuel pump.
If you do find yourself at the gas station and your pump is on fire with the hose in the tank, let it stay in the car and shut off the pump by pushing up on the flapper where you store the nozzle. Do not panic and pull out the hose to spray fire at others.
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