BP closing down another bowser.
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Wiz, of course... didn't mean to imply it was only locals using... I suspect more than anything this is some silly political stunt by someone who a) doesn't know any better or b)has some ulterior motive (whether that be $$ or something else)....
As for availability elsewhere... correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't LST owned/run by a certain mining company? Perhaps somebody out there knows something we don't... eg they may start refusing service to any but those flying in stuff they need/want... perhaps this is the reason behind the push for having it avl elsewhere? I have no idea when it comes to this stuff, but if that were a possibility then I could see why certain operators and individuals would want to ensure they have availability when they need it.
Still, as said, this whole scenario stinks, it smacks of the little guys getting walked on. I guess we'll have to wait for some poor bugger to plug it in from a fuel emergency during sh!t wx for anyone to take notice...!
As for availability elsewhere... correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't LST owned/run by a certain mining company? Perhaps somebody out there knows something we don't... eg they may start refusing service to any but those flying in stuff they need/want... perhaps this is the reason behind the push for having it avl elsewhere? I have no idea when it comes to this stuff, but if that were a possibility then I could see why certain operators and individuals would want to ensure they have availability when they need it.
Still, as said, this whole scenario stinks, it smacks of the little guys getting walked on. I guess we'll have to wait for some poor bugger to plug it in from a fuel emergency during sh!t wx for anyone to take notice...!
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Source: The Sunday Times
Anger over aviation fuel cut
From: By Braden Quartermaine
March 12, 2006
WA's aviation industry has been dealt a blow with Air BP withdrawing fuel for piston-powered aircraft from its Leonora site.
The move, effective from March 24, has angered many in the industry, but Air BP says selling Avgas at Leonora is "no longer economically viable".
The company said that instead of removing the site it would switch to providing JetA1 fuel for a trial period of 18 months.
Skippers Aviation, which flies WA inland routes, runs on jet fuel.
Shire of Leonora chief executive Jim Epis said the move was a blow for the town, charter companies and passengers.
He said small planes were often essential in the Outback and the move would hurt mine charter flights and aerial mustering.
Mr Epis said the shire might be forced into the costly exercise of providing Avgas in drums.
"When these small operators come to Leonora they might stay a night and leave accommodation costs, a few beers, meals and things like that – every small bit in a town like Leonora helps," he said.
Mr Epis said that in the past three years the shire had spent more than $500,000 upgrading airport facilities.
"We have to encourage aircraft to use the strip because we've got to generate a few dollars from somewhere to pay for that capital expense," he said.
Perth-based charter operator Paul Lyons, who visits Leonora once a week, said BP's decision was a disgrace.
"It just closes the whole of the Goldfields to all piston-engine aircraft," he said.
"They have a duty of responsibility to the people of the Outback.
"There are about 15 station owners around Leonora who now have to get drum fuel."
Mr Lyons said the economic argument was hard to believe.
"It's not as if there's a massive amount of maintenance for a bowser," he said.
Air BP has told operators that in case of emergency, Avgas will be available in drums through Leonora Shire.
"If you're going to be doing it in case of emergency, you may as well be doing it for everybody," Mr Epis said.
Anger over aviation fuel cut
From: By Braden Quartermaine
March 12, 2006
WA's aviation industry has been dealt a blow with Air BP withdrawing fuel for piston-powered aircraft from its Leonora site.
The move, effective from March 24, has angered many in the industry, but Air BP says selling Avgas at Leonora is "no longer economically viable".
The company said that instead of removing the site it would switch to providing JetA1 fuel for a trial period of 18 months.
Skippers Aviation, which flies WA inland routes, runs on jet fuel.
Shire of Leonora chief executive Jim Epis said the move was a blow for the town, charter companies and passengers.
He said small planes were often essential in the Outback and the move would hurt mine charter flights and aerial mustering.
Mr Epis said the shire might be forced into the costly exercise of providing Avgas in drums.
"When these small operators come to Leonora they might stay a night and leave accommodation costs, a few beers, meals and things like that – every small bit in a town like Leonora helps," he said.
Mr Epis said that in the past three years the shire had spent more than $500,000 upgrading airport facilities.
"We have to encourage aircraft to use the strip because we've got to generate a few dollars from somewhere to pay for that capital expense," he said.
Perth-based charter operator Paul Lyons, who visits Leonora once a week, said BP's decision was a disgrace.
"It just closes the whole of the Goldfields to all piston-engine aircraft," he said.
"They have a duty of responsibility to the people of the Outback.
"There are about 15 station owners around Leonora who now have to get drum fuel."
Mr Lyons said the economic argument was hard to believe.
"It's not as if there's a massive amount of maintenance for a bowser," he said.
Air BP has told operators that in case of emergency, Avgas will be available in drums through Leonora Shire.
"If you're going to be doing it in case of emergency, you may as well be doing it for everybody," Mr Epis said.
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Does anyone have a figure on how much it costs to provide Avgas in drums vs installing a (shire-owned) bowser? If the little guys can't do it, maybe the Shire can...?
On the other hand, if that rumour about someone paying off someone else is true, that shire dude is doing a good job of sounding pissed off
On the other hand, if that rumour about someone paying off someone else is true, that shire dude is doing a good job of sounding pissed off
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The cost of a drum of avgas is $454.00 plus frieght.
I can assure you that the dude in the shire is very pissed off. it was him and his local government that lobbied to have the bowser here in the first place some eight or nine years ago.
We locals, as rate payers are a bit peeved as well. we now have to subsidise the airport to the value of the landing fees that we will be missing out on as well. there was a large amount of $$$$ spent upgrading the lighting and sealing the strip to make it an attractive place to stop for fuel and accomadation.
Had a company rep approach me the other day asking when it was all going to happen. He said they would carry out their work from Kalgoorlie if it was soon. An inconvinience for him, extra expense for his clients and Leonora misses out on the landing fees, meals and accomadation.
Thats just one case.
I can assure you that the dude in the shire is very pissed off. it was him and his local government that lobbied to have the bowser here in the first place some eight or nine years ago.
We locals, as rate payers are a bit peeved as well. we now have to subsidise the airport to the value of the landing fees that we will be missing out on as well. there was a large amount of $$$$ spent upgrading the lighting and sealing the strip to make it an attractive place to stop for fuel and accomadation.
Had a company rep approach me the other day asking when it was all going to happen. He said they would carry out their work from Kalgoorlie if it was soon. An inconvinience for him, extra expense for his clients and Leonora misses out on the landing fees, meals and accomadation.
Thats just one case.
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When I got the letter from Air BP I rang my rep to express my concern. She said, logically enough to her, that I hadn't bought fuel there for months so why was I bothered? She didn't get that I wasn't just interested in my own, somewhat limited, Leonora refuelling requirements but those of many other of her loyal customers, and some things we had in the pipeline that would have involved refuelling at YLEO, and needing it as an alternate. Guess we'll just have to nip across to Warburton now.
Is this too obvious, but could another oil company be approached to set up a bowser/take over the existing one? Not sure how this sort of thing works so could be a silly question. Clearly Air BP are not going to budge. Perhaps we could boycott thier product where we have a choice, though seeing as BP supply avgas to all the others, I don't suppose that would make any difference.....
I wonder, how long do we have to wait before the "emergency" fuel drums are delivered? And presumably have to pay for the whole drum even though we may only need some of it?
Keep up the good work Wiz, many of us are right behind you on this.
Is this too obvious, but could another oil company be approached to set up a bowser/take over the existing one? Not sure how this sort of thing works so could be a silly question. Clearly Air BP are not going to budge. Perhaps we could boycott thier product where we have a choice, though seeing as BP supply avgas to all the others, I don't suppose that would make any difference.....
I wonder, how long do we have to wait before the "emergency" fuel drums are delivered? And presumably have to pay for the whole drum even though we may only need some of it?
Keep up the good work Wiz, many of us are right behind you on this.
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I noticed that Mobil has pulled out of Perth Airport.
Maybe LEO is just the start.
You guy's may have more luck placing some fuel at a station owners strip near leonora for a small fee (and no landing fee) and just bypassing Leonora all together ?
If you take a look at the cost of landing at Leonora you'll find it's not the cheapest place to put your wheels on the ground, after dark it's double the cost.
Maybe LEO is just the start.
You guy's may have more luck placing some fuel at a station owners strip near leonora for a small fee (and no landing fee) and just bypassing Leonora all together ?
If you take a look at the cost of landing at Leonora you'll find it's not the cheapest place to put your wheels on the ground, after dark it's double the cost.
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Frozo, t'aint no good when there's no Avgas to get a discount on!! 
Unless of course you mean to make drum fuel viable.
And Wiz, I wasn't serious about the shire guy, I am sure he really is mad about the whole thing, especially since as you say he wanted it there in the first place.
Maybe playing the old 'BP are so evil, save us Mobil' PR card could do the trick...?
Unless of course you mean to make drum fuel viable.
And Wiz, I wasn't serious about the shire guy, I am sure he really is mad about the whole thing, especially since as you say he wanted it there in the first place.
Maybe playing the old 'BP are so evil, save us Mobil' PR card could do the trick...?
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speaking of discount's.
what sort of discount's are the fuel guy's giving these day's.
Year ago it was easy to get at least say 4 cents of the price for using only one company.
Hard to do, if there is only one operating.
what sort of discount's are the fuel guy's giving these day's.
Year ago it was easy to get at least say 4 cents of the price for using only one company.
Hard to do, if there is only one operating.
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Seems if I am to stay in business, I have to take on the roll of local refueler now. It does have its benefits I guess. I will now become the main source of information on anything aviation in the goldfields and I can charge horrific call out fees when ever I feel like it, and double for the competition down the road. 
I am currently sourcing the equipment to put in a small (10,000Ltr) tank and pump. so with luck, AVGAS will still be available in YLEO shortly after the big company pulls out. The emergency Drums will be extremely expensive and hard to get after hours, and I would guess it would be a whole drum and nothing less type of arrangment.
Sillograph, mate it might be a little expensive, but certainly better than a lot of others. price is the same day or night as far as I know, and the facilities available are quite good compared to most other strips out in the bush. I think the price is quite reasonable considering the amount of money that has been spent on it lately. If you feel its a little expensive, use the whole strip so you get value for money.
I am currently sourcing the equipment to put in a small (10,000Ltr) tank and pump. so with luck, AVGAS will still be available in YLEO shortly after the big company pulls out. The emergency Drums will be extremely expensive and hard to get after hours, and I would guess it would be a whole drum and nothing less type of arrangment.
Sillograph, mate it might be a little expensive, but certainly better than a lot of others. price is the same day or night as far as I know, and the facilities available are quite good compared to most other strips out in the bush. I think the price is quite reasonable considering the amount of money that has been spent on it lately. If you feel its a little expensive, use the whole strip so you get value for money.
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Onya Wiz
Mind, it can't be your run of the mill 'boring' bowser... needs a fancy shmancy paint scheme... perhaps you could get someone to sponsor it?? i.e. a billboard or logos on it..... help defray the cost? Or run a 'name the bowser' contest for all the folk who'd use it... so, you know, it'd have an appropriate moniker and all that....
Mind, it can't be your run of the mill 'boring' bowser... needs a fancy shmancy paint scheme... perhaps you could get someone to sponsor it?? i.e. a billboard or logos on it..... help defray the cost?
Or run a 'name the bowser' contest for all the folk who'd use it... so, you know, it'd have an appropriate moniker and all that....
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Good onya Wiz.
Maybe even a tank on the back of a trailer with pump is all you need.
What's the go with the insurance etc, is that going to be drama ?
Maybe you can get people to sign off before refuelling like at some other place's.
Maybe even a tank on the back of a trailer with pump is all you need.
What's the go with the insurance etc, is that going to be drama ?
Maybe you can get people to sign off before refuelling like at some other place's.