Почему авиатопливо заливают не в фюзеляж самолёта, а в крылья: неочевидный ответ на простой вопрос

In modern aircraft, fuel is mainly stored in tanks built into the wing surfaces. This may seem illogical because fuel reduces maneuverability and puts stress on the aircraft's wings.

At the dawn of aviation, the designers of the first aircraft reasoned this way and most often built fuel tanks into the fuselage, closer to the center of gravity. This made it easier for them to regulate the weight distribution in the aircraft, and the tank was under the supervision of the crew.

However, by the mid-20th century, views on the design of tanks had changed. They began to be increasingly integrated into the wings.

Strength, Safety, and Streamlining

Calculations and practice have shown that the design with fuel tanks in the load-bearing surfaces allows for a more even distribution of load and weight. Long, thin wings have to bear the weight of the aircraft.

If the fuel is moved closer to the area where lift is generated, the load on them is reduced. Therefore, the wings can be made lighter and thinner, improving aerodynamics.

Also, when fuel is consumed from the wings, designers need to think less about the "wandering" center of gravity of the aircraft — it remains in the same place.

In addition, fuel is sometimes placed not only in the wings — their internal volume may not be enough to take on board a supply for a long flight. For example, the domestic airliner Ту-204 has additional tanks in the tail fin and center wing section.

Such tanks create inconveniences for pilots: when fuel is consumed from the tail tank, the tail becomes lighter, so this has to be taken into account, emptying the tanks in the rear and front of the aircraft simultaneously.

Safety plays an important role. For example, when a Bombardier passenger plane crashed at Toronto Airport in early 2025, it lost its burning wings during landing and overturned. At the same time, the fire did not affect the fuselage, and no one died.

Earlier, Rostec refuted rumors on the Internet about the cessation of operation of Ansat helicopters, stating that there are no objective prerequisites for this.

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