Why do jets leave a white trail behind them.

"Morgans" wrote


"Jim Macklin" wrote in
message news:kbWzf.66479$QW2.33865@dukeread08...
Most jet aircraft have heated fuel tanks and or use PRIST.
The fuel control units are heated by engine oil or electric
elements so the screens stay ice free.
\\
Yes, I do know all of that, but do smaller jet fueled planes
(Malibu and smaller) have heated tanks?

I don't know about the Malibu, but the large jet transports that I
have flown, B-707, B-727, certainly did not have heated fuel tanks.
Yep, the fuel filters had a heating capability using bleed air from
the engine compressors.....flightcrew controlled. At higher Mach
numbers (.80+), the temperature ram rise at the wing leading edge
kept the fuel from waxing under most circumstances.

Bob Moore