Gasoline

Gasoline or petrol is a transparent, petroleum-derived flammable liquid that is used primarily as a fuel in most spark-ignited internal combustion engines (also known as petrol engines). It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional Distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives.

In the aerospace context, gasoline refers to a type of fuel used to power internal combustion engines, such as those found in reciprocating engines commonly used in small aircraft and helicopters. Gasoline is a fossil fuel, which is a mixture of hydrocarbons that are derived from crude oil. It is also known as petrol.

Gasoline is commonly used in small aircraft, helicopters, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) because of its high energy density, relatively low cost and its wide availability. It is also relatively easy to handle and transport as compared to other aviation fuels.

Examples of aircraft that use gasoline as a fuel include:

• Single-engine light aircraft, such as the Cessna 172 and the Piper Cherokee.
• Small helicopters, such as the Robinson R22 and the Bell 206.
• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as small drones used for aerial photography, survey and mapping.

It is important to note that gasoline has some disadvantages, such as its relatively low flash point, meaning it is relatively easy to ignite and its relatively low energy density compared to other aviation fuels. Due to this reason, some aircrafts use different type of fuels like Jet fuel, Diesel or Biofuels.