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First Time for Everything

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:01 am
by Colin
My rule is a *little* less strict than Cary's. I believe he said he wouldn't let them fuel the plane unless he was standing there. Mine was: Wait until the correct truck pulls up.

Broke my rule since it was pouring rain and I figured they wouldn't do it until I returned. I won't break that rule again.

Re: First Time for Everything

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:51 am
by Chris
Yikes! I'm glad you figured it out before firing up the engines!

Re: First Time for Everything

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 1:13 am
by jb642DA
Great "catch" Colin!! (Nice write up in your Blog too!!)

Re: First Time for Everything

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 6:46 pm
by jb642DA
After seeing Colin's write up, I started searching for something to add an extra layer of "protection" against fueling errors.

I try to stay at the plane until fuel truck arrives but sometimes I "gotta go"!!

I just ordered a couple of roles of this to keep in plane -
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/c ... pejeta.php

What do you think?

Re: First Time for Everything

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:04 pm
by cptndavid
I think that is almost fool proof.

Re: First Time for Everything

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:10 pm
by Chris
cptndavid wrote:I think that is almost fool proof.
Low-tech solution for the win.

Re: First Time for Everything

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:13 pm
by jb642DA
I was thinking of getting some painters tape (the blue stuff) and writing "Jet A Only" with a magic marker!
This will look a lot better!

Re: First Time for Everything

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:57 pm
by Colin
The placard was brand new. Impossible to miss (I would have thought). I won't order the tape because I would be tempted to use it. I'll stay by the plane. This is one of those: "low probability, high cost" sort of events that I was lucky on this one time. I won't test that rule again.

The FBO said they train the line personnel every six months, there's intensive training when they start, it's impossible to screw up, but they "had a few new guys on the crew." The FUEL card says to use JetA. It says JetA right next to the cap you are taking off. If you can ignore those things, you can surely ignore a little piece of tape you are peeling back to get at the cap.

Re: First Time for Everything

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:10 pm
by Chris
Colin wrote:It says JetA right next to the cap you are taking off. If you can ignore those things, you can surely ignore a little piece of tape you are peeling back to get at the cap.
I think there's a significant difference between not reading a placard next to the fuel cap and being forced to peel off a piece of tape. The latter disrupts the fueler's routine and forces them to think about it. Sure, it's still possible to screw up but much less likely IMHO.

Of course if every plane has a piece of tape over the cap, then it becomes routine again and won't help.

Re: First Time for Everything

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:38 pm
by jb642DA
I don't plan to use the tape all the time. However, I've had a couple of times, after landing, when I've "had to go". I'll use the tape before running to the FBO, just as insurance.
I agree with Colin's idea - I stay at the plane until the fuel guy arrives with the correct truck and then I brief him not to "blast" the fuel into the small outer 4 gallon tank! Recently, the guy didn't listen and about 1/2 gallon of Jet A "jumped out" and soaked his jacket arm and my wing! At lease he rounded down my fuel purchase!

I think of that "piece of tape" as a tool in my "risk management" toolbox - just one more item to "break the chain" before an accident. Mis-fueling is CERTAINLY a HUMAN FACTOR item and a RISK!

From one of the many FAA articles on risk management - "From a broader perspective, the phrase “human factors related” more aptly describes these accidents since it is usually not a single decision that leads to an accident, but a chain of events triggered by a number of factors. "

(It seems like every place I land, outside of the local airport, no one has seen a "Jet fueled" light twin!)