Which has more explosive potential, Avgas or Jet-A?

• A. Jet-A
• B. Neither
• C. Avgas
• D. Both equally

Answer: (C)

Explosive potential comes down to how readily a fuel forms ignitable vapors. Gasoline-based aviation fuel vaporizes more easily than kerosene-based jet fuel, so it creates a larger volume of flammable vapor in the air under the same conditions. That means ignition can occur more easily, giving Avgas a higher explosive potential. Jet-A, being kerosene-based, is less volatile and forms fewer flammable vapors as readily, making it less prone to rapid explosion under the same environment. Both fuels are flammable, but the greater volatility of Avgas makes it the fuel with the higher explosive potential.