Fuel bowsers
Joined: Aug 1998
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 6,623
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From: Ex-pat Aussie in the UK
Back in 1988 or so, a friend and I took a C172 out from Moorabbin to Apollo bay for a week or 10 days or so in the Summer, set up a "JOYRIDE !! " sign and a fold out card table with two camping chairs and did Joyrides for passing traffic. Yes, were operating under an AOC and had permission from the airstrip owners.
As there was no fuel, we bought a couple of drums from the Moorabbin refueller and drove them out in a mate's ute.
Good times...
As there was no fuel, we bought a couple of drums from the Moorabbin refueller and drove them out in a mate's ute.
Good times...
Joined: Mar 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 153
From: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
What were the aircraft types you were flying and how long did it take you to hand pump the fuel into them?
Can you name any specific location at which you landed and had to hand pump fuel into an aircraft to fly somewhere else?
Most of the airstrips took the name of the well. Examples are Wilson Cliffs and Contentions Heights, both in the Great Sandy Desert half way between Alice Springs and Broome.
A few airstrips were named after the pilot who serviced and stayed at the rig, sometimes up to 9 months with time off during a 100 hourly.
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 278
From: Melbourne, Victoria
Drums are still widely used throughout the north-west - not just mining exploration but cattle stations also. Fuel in drums is mostly Jet (which lasts longer in the heat) but Avgas is available also, given plenty of notice. The main supplier of Avgas out there would be Recharge : https://www.rechargepetroleum.com.au/replenish
I'm not sure what it's like there now, but +20 years ago when the Casino was in full operation, the only way to get fuel to Christmas Island (there being no place for a ship to dock in rough weather) was to drop the drums overboard and tow them into the beach by dinghy!
I'm not sure what it's like there now, but +20 years ago when the Casino was in full operation, the only way to get fuel to Christmas Island (there being no place for a ship to dock in rough weather) was to drop the drums overboard and tow them into the beach by dinghy!
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 34
From: Melbourne
We handpumped from drums to fuel the tugs (usually Cessna 150 taildraggers) and IIRC the truck-based winches for Balaklava Gliding Club at Whitwarta Airfield in SA late 1970s/early 80s. Kept you fit. No fun on a 40+ day though. We'd take turns. Took about 12-15 minutes to put enough into a 150.
Joined: Jul 2006
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 125
From: Up yer nose, again.
Well, hey it's still better than manually pumping it through a strainer from a rusty old drum - by yourself - with fuel going every ass-way if you don't keep the hose clear of the rotary handle.
Seems some folks here don't realise how good they have it in the 21st century...
Seems some folks here don't realise how good they have it in the 21st century...
Joined: Mar 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 153
From: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
drum fuel RUG the Baron
Even fulled a Queen Air drained from the fuel in the wing of a Caribou as the Queen Air was not the correct colour!!
I missed out on the Dove.
Joined: Sep 2002
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 637
From: Great South East, tired and retired
Most of you have probably never used the Whale Gusher.
A small back-and-forward (reciprocal?) pump which could move maybe 1 litre per stroke. GENTLE stroke. If you tried to speed things up, you ruptured the rubber diaphragm and had to pull it apart and replace the diaphragm - if you had one. Filling a Huey took 3 drums at 200 lit each which was 600 gentle strokes (but it still took some effort to make the stroke) so the junior person present would start it off, and when he got tired the next most junior took over. The rest would sit under the nearest tree and wait.
A small back-and-forward (reciprocal?) pump which could move maybe 1 litre per stroke. GENTLE stroke. If you tried to speed things up, you ruptured the rubber diaphragm and had to pull it apart and replace the diaphragm - if you had one. Filling a Huey took 3 drums at 200 lit each which was 600 gentle strokes (but it still took some effort to make the stroke) so the junior person present would start it off, and when he got tired the next most junior took over. The rest would sit under the nearest tree and wait.
Joined: May 2014
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 279
Likes: 47
From: Richmond
For me personally, Naryilco, Orientos, Ticklalara, Bulloo Downs,
Mount Howitt,Milo, to name a few without looking at my logbooks.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: First tin shed on the left,,,
It would have been around 1970 when at Maroochydore QLD there was a small tin shed with several 44 gallon drums of Avgas and a quart pump inside, and a note pad and pencil to write your fuel taken and A/C rego etc. They would send you a bill for the fuel. Then in the early 80's it was great to be able to refuel at Emerald {CQ] in the wee hours on the way back to Archerfield. First was find the ladder to get the fuel shed key in the gutter, unlock the shed and turn the power on,, refuel leaving your details on the blackboard before locking up again,,,, and you would receive a bill in the mail. Until in the early hours one morning I couldn't find the key and I called Jim Johnston, the owner of Central Highlands Air Taxi's to ask where the key was,,,,,,,,,,,,, His reply was,,, "there is no key and there wont be ever again as someone had stolen a large amount of fuel". The end of an era ruined by one greedy person.
