Aviation Turbine Fuels: The Lifeblood of Modern Flight From the Evolution of Aviation Fuels to Modern Jet Fuel Quality Assurance and Future Technologies 1. Introduction: The Fuel Behind Every Flight When passengers board a commercial aircraft, they naturally think about the aircraft's engines, the pilots, the cabin and the destination. Few consider the fuel stored inside the wings or the extensive quality-control system that ensures it is suitable for flight. Yet aviation fuel is one of the fundamental elements of aircraft safety and reliability. An aircraft may incorporate advanced avionics, sophisticated flight-control systems and highly reliable engines, but none of these technologies can compensate for fuel that fails to meet the required specification or becomes contaminated during storage and handling. Aviation fuel must perform under demanding conditions. During high-altitude cruise, the surrounding air can be colder than −50°C. At the same time, fuel may circulate through...