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 variety of hydrocarbons. Because the exact composition of jet fuel varies widely based on petroleum source, it is impossible to define jet fuel as a ratio of specific hydrocarbons. Jet fuel is therefore defined as a performance specification rather than a chemical compound. Furthermore, the range of molecular mass between hydrocarbons (or different carbon numbers) is defined by the requirements for the product, such as the freezing point or smoke point.
JET A-1 is an aviation fuel formerly known as “kerosene” which is suitable for most jet aircraft.
It meets stringent international requirements, particularly those of the latest versions of the AFQRJOS, the British DEF STAN 91-91 standard, the ASTM D1655 standard, and the NATO F-35 specification.
It has a minimum flashpoint of 38°C and a maximum freezing point of -47°C.
JET A-1 is the principal fuel used for jet turbine engines. It is also used in general aviation for compatible diesel engine planes.