Do most narrowbody aircraft have a fuel jettison capability? If not, why?

• A. Yes; most narrowbodies require jettison before landing.
• B. No; landing weight is managed by adjusting wing sweep in flight.
• C. No; fueling can be jettisoned through a separate sub-system.
• D. No; landing weight is controlled by burn-off and planning.

Answer: (D)

Fuel dumping is not a common feature on narrowbody airliners. The weight you must land with is managed through careful fuel planning and by burning off fuel in flight if needed, so the aircraft arrives at or below the maximum landing weight. Narrowbodies are designed for shorter routes and typically don’t justify the added weight, cost, and maintenance of a fuel-dump system. Instead, crews plan the fuel load so that, even after a journey or potential holding, the landing weight stays within limits, or they adjust the flight plan to burn more fuel or refuel en route. Wing sweep or other aerodynamics aren’t used to shed fuel for landing weight, and while some aircraft can carry a fuel-dump system, it’s not a standard feature for most narrowbodies.