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Issue link: https://groundsupportworldwide.epubxp.com/i/618927
DECEMBER 2015 / JANUARY 2016 AviationPros.com 23 AIRCRAFT FUELING we came full-circle. Our line staff was well- trained, but the younger folks had never seen a piston-powered helicopter. Sure, enough, an old Bell-47 few in and it was flled with jet fuel. We lucked out on that one. The pilot had been around a long time and he noticed an engine instrument indication shortly after takeoff that screamed "jet fuel, jet fuel!" He immediately put it on the ground – and I do mean immediately. I dare say a less experienced pilot would never have noticed the ficker of that gauge. Not only that, but the pilot knew exactly how to get the engine cleaned out, our shop did the work and he few away. We were also worried that the farmer on whose crop the helicopter had set down might sue us. As it turned out he was one of our customers and he let us off light. These problems were once rampant throughout aviation. To make matters worse, Piper, Beech, Cessna and others started putting out aircraft with turbo-charged piston engines. The powers-that-be asked manufacturers not to put the words "turbo charged" on the outside of the airplane, lest ground support personnel misunderstand and put jet fuel in the tanks. Also, the military purposefully planned a switch to all turbine aircraft. They performed better and having a full feet of them meant the military had to buy, store, handle and use only one type of fuel. At the same time, in some places—Bermuda comes to mind—avgas wasn't available at all, and you'd best not arrive there in a pis- ton-powered airplane. Getting back to the mainland could be both very expensive and time consuming. No doubt the move to jet fuel will continue. Avgas is already becoming more diffcult to get in many parts of the world. One response has been to move towards small aviation diesel engines that will burn either jet fuel or diesel. This move to "one fuel fts all" might help ground support in their eternal quest for safety and simplicity. But watch out, folks. As I write this, the Solar Impulse II is trying an around-the-world fight in a sun-powered aircraft. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ralph Hood is a Certified Speaking Professional who has addressed aviation groups throughout North America. A pilot since 1969, he's insured and sold airplanes at retail and distributor levels and taught aviation management for Southern Illinois University. Ralph Hood is also an award-winning columnist (he writes for several publications), a salesman and sales manager (he sold airplanes, for crying out loud!), a teacher (he taught college-level aviation management) and a professional public speaker who has entertained and enlightened audiences from Hawaii to Spain, and from Fairbanks to Puerto Rico. • Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), National Speakers Association • Past member, National Ethics Committee, National Speakers Association • Past president of Alabama Speakers Association • Member, Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame • Past National Marketing Mentor, AOPA Project Pilot AviationPros.com/10017906 This move to "one fuel fts all" might help ground support in their eternal quest for safety and simplicity. But watch out, folks. As I write this, the Solar Impulse II is trying an around-the-world fight in a sun-powered aircraft .