Passager Midair Refueling?

Question

This might be a stupid question for anyone that is a airliner nut. Why is it that the passager airliners haven't made the planes midair refuelable? Wouldn't this make the range of those current planes extended.

Thanks,

Jason

Answer 1

Yeah, I'm agreeing with the rest of the answerers.

Firstly, it is a very dangerous operation, not to be taken lightly. Best to be avoided if possible and only done in good conditions.

You also have to install refueling equipment on the passenger planes. You can bet your life that an airline won't just buy a new plane cause it has a in flight refueling capability.



Secondly, the price of just keeping a civilian air refueling aircraft is profit prohibitive.

Thirdly, present aircraft can already fly to just about any destination in the world depending on pax configuration

Fourthly, as a passenger, would you really like to be a plane for more than 12-18 hours?Refueling does not mean the plane will go faster, it just means you will get there without ever landing to stretch your legs. thats d**n uncomfortable for me and not everyone can afford a first class seat, especially if the airline needs to pay a in flight refueling service.

last time I checked jet fuel cost around 20-30 cents less per gallon than car gasoline.

Answer 2

Not a stupid question at all.  I would guess two reasons:

The first is it is a high risk operation.  While the military does it out of neccisity, I don't think the risk would be worth it on a commerical carrier

Secondly, the cost of such a procedure I imagine would be prohibitive.  Commerical carriers would need to have aircraft circling to reful other aircraft, thus burning a lot of fuel.  Again, while the cost would not be as much of an issue to the military as it is operationally nessicary (sorry about my spelling), it would not be that advantagous to a commercial carrier.

Again, just some guesses there, but hope it helps.

Answer 3

Mid air refueling is not dangerous. But it is expensive. You need to have two aircraft and extra training. It's really cheaper to land and refuel and take off again. But for the military the time factor becomes more important. They need that aircraft on station for an extended period of time. Also, with heavy bombers it's not possible to take off with full bomb load and full fuel, it's too heavy. So they load up the bombs, but only partial fuel. Then they fill up the fuel in the air to maximize range.

Answer 4

First issue is that it is a dangerous operation. Second is that it isn't necessary with the extended range capabilities of current airliners. Third is it wouldn't be cost effective to have a bunch of refueling aircraft for civilian aircraft. There would be added maintenance and fuel usage which would cancel out any possible benefit. Note to rohak121.....what do you base your statement on about air refueling not being dangerous. Have you ever actually been involved with it? I have and know the risks.

Answer 5

not economical the price of refueling up there might be astronomical.

Answer 6

IT WOULD BE TO DANGEROUS ALSO PLANES CAN FLY AS FAR AS IT IT PRATICAL.

Answer 7

i wouldn't say its a stupid question to start off my answer. Mid-air refueling is a very dangerous opperation, this is why only highly trained military pilots refuel in mid-air.

   Second, it is much cheaper for one plane to land and take on fuel, than sending a second plane to re-fuel it. Think of the costs to bring up one of those re-fueling planes up, and if they were then they would be re-fueling more than one plane, depending on the area that would be unlikely to happen in a small range and time frame.

   To finish, if you don't mind paying another aditional $1000 per ticket and have no stops when traveling (around the globe) then you can do that. :P hope this answers ur question