We measured the temperature profiles and rain-out spatial distribution for flashing water jets generated from a pilot scale experimental setup. This allowed us to define the transitions between three types of jets (stable, mechanically fragmented, flashing). The present experimental data when compared to other authors' data show that the transition to flashing type occurs at lower superheat when the orifice length increases, and that homogeneous aerosol behavior could be a valid assumption for mechanically fragmented jets whereas it is not for flashing jets. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.