Final answer:
Wing tank fuel pumps typically run during aircraft operations to transfer fuel to the engines, managed by the aircraft's control system. They operate automatically under normal conditions and have backup pumps for reliability, with manual control possible for balance and specific fuel use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The wing tank fuel pumps generally run during aircraft operations which require fuel to be transferred from the wing tanks into the engines. These pumps are crucial for ensuring a constant supply of fuel under various conditions, including changes in altitude or aircraft attitude. Typically, fuel pumps are operated by the aircraft's electronic control system, which automatically manages fuel flow to maintain balance, efficiency, and safety.
Most commercial aircraft are equipped with multiple fuel pumps in each tank, including primary and backup pumps. The primary pumps usually run during normal operations whenever the engines are running and require fuel. In the event of a primary pump failure, the backup pumps automatically start to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply.
Furthermore, pilots may also initiate manual operation of the fuel pumps through the aircraft’s fuel management panel for purposes such as balancing the aircraft's weight distribution or to use fuel from a specific tank.