Fuel Storage Requirements

[Focha]

Hi,

Have a question regarding fuel storage, what are the EASA requirements on this?

There is the need of having around 200~400 liters of AV Gas storaged inside an hangar to fuel aircraft, what is necessary to be able to do that?

I am aware of CAP 748 but it does not say much about what the equipment should be.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

[Capot]

Your first stop should be the regional and national regulations for storage of gasoline in the quantities you want, in the country where you want to do it.

That will primarily be about safety and prevention of leakage, fire etc etc.

The National Aviation Authority will have regulations mostly concerned with quality of fuel being loaded into aircraft. Such as CAP 748, of course.

I don't know if EASA (through its Aerodrome and or Air Ops Regulations?) has anything to say about fuel storage and delivery, but if not they are probably thinking about it.

[Rigga]

There is a publication called the "JIG" (Joint Industry Group, I think) which lays down the standards for the storage and movement of aviation fuels...its rather dull and very expensive.
However, these guys (Bunded Fuel Tanks & Diesel Bowsers | Fuel Proof Ltd (http://www.fuelproof.co.uk)) can either supply you information on your requirements or even rent you a tank for some time.
Regards
Rigga

[old,not bold]

FWIW, someone's just reminded me that there is an alternative.........find an old, probably non-flying, large, piston aircraft and park it, full of fuel, near your hangar. Adapt the fuel system to provide a filtered output to a filler hose instead of an engine. Fill overwing from an Avgas road bridger vehicle when required.

Hmmm.....OK, there are a few minor details to overcome, but nothing's impossible if you have the will and an open mind, and at least you would be sidestepping a host of expensive regulations.

A DC 6 or DC 3 would be best; from bitter experience I know that even a Percival Prentice carried 80 Imp Gall/360 litres (400 miles range max!); there are some rotting on airfield graveyards. And I'm sure there are some old twins that would hold more than that; as I recall the Piper Aztec I once flew held about 150 USG. If you can get an airworthy one you could simply fly it somewhere to fill up, if there's an airfield supplying Avgas reasonably close.

[LME (GOD)]

That is not an approved alternative. There are very specific requirements for storage and filtration of fuel. Keeping it in an old aircraft is not on the list. FWIW I'm an IFQP inspector.:cool:

[old,not bold]

I'll take my tongue out of my cheek........but even while I was writing it, the thought did occur that (a) it's not illegal to have fuel in an aircraft's fuel tank parked on an airfield and (b) it's not illegal to transfer some of it to another aircraft, provided that suitable methods to prevent and remove contamination are employed.

At least I hope it's not, because it's certainly something I've seen done (not by me, of course, Guv), although only between non-CAT GA aircraft, on muddy airstrips with no fuel at the bottom end of the airfield spectrum.

But the OP should listen to LME(GOD), not me. He is an IFQP Inspector, after all. (Yes, me neither, here is the answer.) (http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/safety/audit/Pages/ifqp.aspx)

[LME (GOD)]

AvGas storage and dispensing for small airfields is covered by JIG 4. As to what happens in the real world, well we all know how that goes!

[N707ZS]

How about storing your fuel in 55 gallon drums and just use a hand pump. Haven't read the CAA document.