The auxiliary fuel tanks are installed in which location?

• A. Wing center section
• B. Wing tip
• C. Fuselage nose
• D. Tail section

Answer: (A)

Auxiliary fuel tanks are placed where they can add fuel without upsetting balance or complicating structure. The wing center section is ideal because it lets the extra fuel stay near the aircraft’s center of gravity, which minimizes longitudinal balance shifts during flight and keeps the wing structure strong enough to carry the tanks. It also simplifies plumbing from the wing fuel system and minimizes the impact on aircraft handling.

Wing tip tanks exist on some designs, but they change the center of gravity and add lateral aerodynamic considerations, so they’re not the standard location for auxiliary tanks. Placing tanks in the fuselage nose or tail would shift the CG forward or aft and complicate safety and fuel management, so those areas aren’t used for this purpose.

Therefore, the auxiliary fuel tanks are installed in the wing center section.