Non-sparking shoes
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Non-sparking shoes
I need to buy some new shoes for flying. If you're refueling, you're meant to be wearing non-sparking shoes according to the CAOs (the fact they should be tax deductable has no bearing on my decision to try to get them
). I wandered into a couple of places that sell safety shoes today and no-one had a clue if they were non-sparking or not. Does anyone know what the deal is? Are safety shoes that meet AS/NZ 2210.3 non-sparking? Is non-sparking the same as anti-static?
(All suggestions of high-heeled boots etc will be taken with good grace but the name of a retailer that sells non-sparking shoes in Perth would be really appreciated.)
Cheers
). I wandered into a couple of places that sell safety shoes today and no-one had a clue if they were non-sparking or not. Does anyone know what the deal is? Are safety shoes that meet AS/NZ 2210.3 non-sparking? Is non-sparking the same as anti-static?(All suggestions of high-heeled boots etc will be taken with good grace but the name of a retailer that sells non-sparking shoes in Perth would be really appreciated.)
Cheers
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who suffers from sparking shoes. Luckily I never actually refuel my aircraft myself, but I do have to speak to the fuellers and sign the paperwork, and I do make a point of standing dead still while doing that..... just incase my shoes start sparking 
Are you telling me that some w@*ker in a suit has actually made a law about this?
And what about underpants? I definately felt some electricity down there a few days ago when the Virgin hosties were loading up on the 74 parked on the next stand. Should I have been so near the fuel truck?
Are you telling me that some w@*ker in a suit has actually made a law about this?
And what about underpants? I definately felt some electricity down there a few days ago when the Virgin hosties were loading up on the 74 parked on the next stand. Should I have been so near the fuel truck?
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Non-sparking = anti static.
Basically the sole is designed to conduct and ground any static build up on the person rather than it getting discharged to a ground by touching or getting close causing the spark.
Not much use in my job in the electrical industry though, could be a bit shocking
Basically the sole is designed to conduct and ground any static build up on the person rather than it getting discharged to a ground by touching or getting close causing the spark.
Not much use in my job in the electrical industry though, could be a bit shocking
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Tell you a cheaper way mate.
Stick an electrode with a wire attached, up your
and connect the wire to a good earth.
I really must bone up on things again as I have been in aviation for 4 decades and never heard anything about non sparking shoes. I lot of those years was with aircraft, with engines that run on avgas! Never heard of and aircraft going up through static from sparky shoes. Guess there is a first time for anything and everything.
Stick an electrode with a wire attached, up your
and connect the wire to a good earth.I really must bone up on things again as I have been in aviation for 4 decades and never heard anything about non sparking shoes. I lot of those years was with aircraft, with engines that run on avgas! Never heard of and aircraft going up through static from sparky shoes. Guess there is a first time for anything and everything.
Iwasoneonce.........
Perhaps its time you looked at CAO 20.9? 
Wyle Coyote..............
Under the circumstances that you describe, probably not! 
I have been in aviation for 4 decades and never heard anything about non sparking shoes. I lot of those years was with aircraft, with engines that run on avgas! Never heard of and aircraft going up through static from sparky shoes. Guess there is a first time for anything and everything.
4.3.5 All footwear worn by aircraft servicing personnel and persons operating fuelling equipment shall be of a non-sparking type and such persons shall not carry any matches, cigarette lighters or other objects which could represent an ignition hazard.
Should I have been so near the fuel truck?
Gentlemen,
I submit that perhaps the CAOs (or rather, the ANOs) were drafted in a different era when rubber soles were less common and 'ob nail boots were wot farver wore.
I clearly remember reading Hardy Boys adventures as a lad where Jupiter Jones was the only one of the gang with rubber-soled shoes, and therefore did all the sneaking around.
This was confusing to me as a young lad in the early 1980s, as every shoe I had ever seen in my young life had a rubber sole.
I submit that perhaps the CAOs (or rather, the ANOs) were drafted in a different era when rubber soles were less common and 'ob nail boots were wot farver wore.
I clearly remember reading Hardy Boys adventures as a lad where Jupiter Jones was the only one of the gang with rubber-soled shoes, and therefore did all the sneaking around.
This was confusing to me as a young lad in the early 1980s, as every shoe I had ever seen in my young life had a rubber sole.
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the best ting about having CASA define a type of shoe, is that it is now a required piece of aviation equipment, ergo tax deductable. Every year, there would be a cliam from me for "non sparking shoes". It has been in the regs for many a year! at LEAST 18 years.
As to what are non sparking shoes? I think that as long as you don't wear tap dancing shoes, then you should be OK.
As to what are non sparking shoes? I think that as long as you don't wear tap dancing shoes, then you should be OK.
PlankBlender.........
Goto ATO Taxation Ruling TR 95/19 at:
TR 95/19 - Income tax: airline industry employees - allowances, reimbursements and work-related deductions (As at 5 June 1996)
What else can pilots normally deduct?
TR 95/19 - Income tax: airline industry employees - allowances, reimbursements and work-related deductions (As at 5 June 1996)
If the refueling equipment is earthed, then you will also be earthed. Buy Airflex so that you don't have issues with security screening. Claim them on tax as either anti-static, oil resistant or anti-slip shoes.
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While I really just wanted the tax deduction, given the number of responses to this thread, I had a quick look on the Net. It seems while sparking (eg from having metal on your soles or a rock stuck in your sole) can ignite fuel, static electricity is also a serious risk: http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...atic_Fires.pdf and rubber soles don't help with static electricity at all. (The good news is it seems we can refuel and talk on the phone at the same time!)
As someone suggested earlier, making sure the refueling equipment and the aircraft is earthed should deal with the static problem but still having anti-static shoes doesn't seem like a bad idea.
Cheers
As someone suggested earlier, making sure the refueling equipment and the aircraft is earthed should deal with the static problem but still having anti-static shoes doesn't seem like a bad idea.
Cheers
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The most practical and comfortable duty / work-shoe that I've ever come across can be found at "The Athlete's Foot"
Its called an "Ascent: Geelong" and goes for about $170.00 AUD
Ascent Footwear - Men
They are hands-down the best shoes I've owned for comfort while working. I'll never wear another Colorado
Jazz
Its called an "Ascent: Geelong" and goes for about $170.00 AUD
Ascent Footwear - Men
They are hands-down the best shoes I've owned for comfort while working. I'll never wear another Colorado
Jazz