Tue 7 Sep ’21. Australia's Fuel problems continue – Senator Susan McDonald told by NT helicopter operators.
One of many issues raised by operators was the fuel problem with 100LL avgas which it was claimed is damaging cylinders of helicopters. A media report stated Paul Blore from Outback Helicopter Airwork recommended 100LL be removed from the market to prevent further damage to cylinders in piston engines.
Some operators have been able to source 100/130 fuel, which they say has alleviated the problem.
"Our recommendation is to go back to the original 100/130 fuel," he told the senators. "Since 2017, I've replaced 49 cylinders. For example, I bought a new aircraft not long ago, over $600,000 worth, and in the first 170 hours of I've had to replace three cylinders. All under 200 hours: that's less than 5% of the life of that aircraft engine.”
"And this is a common problem; we don't seem to get the life out of the engines with low-lead. Since I've changed over to the leaded fuel, it's cured the problem."
Blore found support from Warwick Curr of Alice Springs Helicopters. “I've been very fortunate," Curr said. "As soon as we received our first shipment of 100/130, we were able to get all of our clients onto the same fuel. I guess for a while I was the only person to be able to do that, and the results were immediate. We haven't had a cylinder failure since those first drums came into our possession.”
"Our recommendation is that 100LL should just be removed from the marketplace; it's not fit for use."
The senate inquiry is scheduled to hold several more public hearings between now and December when the final report is due to be tabled. The CEO of the Rotorcraft Asia-Pacific Business Association (RAPBA) has advised members a large amount of detailed technical information was recently provided - now undergoing a review. Hopefully this will be checked and published in coming editions of RAPBA’s Board Room Briefings.
RAPBA is seeking to help end this high risk airworthiness deficiency before a fatal accident occurs. This issue appears to have been examined by the AHIA and their excellent report was published in 2018. It looked back over years prior. (See website and Facebook). Almost five years ago!