Ignition Speed of Aviation Fuel

[birdie1971]

Totally trivial this one.

I've just watched Die Hard 2. At the end, Bruce Willis blows up the escaping plane by setting fire to the trail of aviation fuel leaking from the plane.

I assume that this is impossible as the trail of fuel would not ingnite fast enough to catch a plane on takeoff.

But how fast does a trail of fuel catch fire?

[wildwood]

How fast depends on the type of fuel, with aviation fuel I would guess it ignites pretty fast.
The flame does not have to travel as fast as the takeoff speed, the leaking fuel also moves at speed through the air once the plane has taken off and left the ground so it is quite possible.

Anyway, would Bruce Willis lie? Would he?

[ChuckFickens]

a trail of normal petrol will burn along at approx 3mph.

I very much doubt that aviation fuel is going to be that much quicker (not to the extent of burning at airplane speed anyhow)

[Richard1966]

The TV series mythbusters tried to recreate this a few series ago. As well as having great difficulty getting the fuel to light, in the end resorting to a blow torch, the speed of the burn was very slow. They determined it was not possible.

[ChuckFickens]

LOL... it's mythbusters that I remember the 3mph burn speed from :)

[Teddio]

Most aviation fuel is Jet A-1, a low volatility kerosene. It has a very low vapour pressure at room temperature and won't burn without a wick. A liquid stream, unless very hot, won't ignite.

[birdie1971]

Bruce lied to me!

I didn't think it would be possible.

Cool special effect though.



Thanks everyone.