Why do planes dump fuel mid-air?
Why do planes sometimes dump fuel in mid-air? Before takeoff, the amount of fuel is calculated to ensure it will last until the destination. Carrying excess fuel creates unnecessary weight and leads to unnecessary expenses. Furthermore, for a safe landing, an aircraft must be below a certain weight. Therefore, in emergency situations, when an aircraft is forced to land earlier than planned, excess fuel must be dumped. This is usually done at high altitude to avoid harming people. Some add a spark to this dump and use it in demonstration flights.