What kind of fuel is burned in a jet engine?

Aviation gas ( military abbreviation: Avgas )

Hi @maddermusic welcome to Fluther!

Jets burn kerosene. The particular blends are called unsurprisingly, jet fuel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerosene
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_fuel

JP fuel is a petroleum based fuel that is specially developed for use in jet engine. There are several blends available depending on the engines. They have a higher flash point than regular gasoline.

It really is closer to kerosene. And after a pumping accident on my first ship contaminated the freshwater system, I know the taste of JP5 all too well. Makes good coffee though…

As @WestRiverrat correctly points out, there are different blends/grades just as there are different types of gasoline, but jet fuel and gasoline are not interchangeable; don’t try putting jet fuel into a normal engine and expect anything good to come of it.

@CaptainHarley We’re talking jets here old-timer, not P-51 Mustangs :D