Grey Area Regs.
 

A touchy question I can't find an answer to!

As a commercial operator flying paying pax in remote areas where fuel drums are the only way can you repeat filling J-A1 drums (considering all the safty precautions are carried out e.g looking for contaminants).

My local aviation administrator seems to have a problem with the re-using part and was wondering if any of you guys know if there is any literature advising the correct method and if your authorities accept this practice where ever you may be.

Look forward to any comments

In Oz, refuellers are very touchy about topping up used drums - quality control forbids it. But if the drums are in good condition (no dents, no rust, bungs in good nick) and you know the fuel man well, he might do a deal for you. But he might be liable if there is any contaminant in the drum. if he cannot satisfy the quality requirements and seal the drum, he is leaving himself open to lawsuits.

However, if you own some drums and have your own bowser, there is little anyone can do to stop you filling your own drums, as long as you do the normal tests for water and other junk.:D

Thanks Ascend Charlie,
I have found no regulation as yet. The fuel company after inspection of the drums are happy it just seems to be the Feds making an issue as it will be paying pax.

I hope to find more.

twoOsix

From a reasonable amount of experience flying around the backblocks in OZ I can give the following information but I haven't seen any regs as such, but I have seen it repeated so many times that I think its probably true.

There is some regs which prohibit refuellers adding new fuel to an open drum. I used to used drum-stock and I had an extra drum that I decanted any dregs into and then called the bulk supplier who came and filled up my now empty drums and put a sticker with batch number etc on the now full drums. He inspected the drums first for rust etc before hand.

If you want to buy fuel from, say a cattle station, as you travel past is a bit varied. Places with a licence to sell fuel won't sell you anything but a full, sealed drum. They won't take back or give credit for any fuel not used. Some make you pay for the drum as well as the fuel - I have flown off and left a few drums around the outback that I have paid for but I am sure someone is now using as a bush BBQ or a feed trough.

Places where you know the owners may be a bit more flexible, like buying back the excess you don't use or not charging you for the drum itself. But its always on the understanding that its all at everyones own risk.

Other places have given me the choice, buy a full drum or I'll give you some from an opened drum. Your choice your risk.

Everybody is (not unreasonably) covering their a....s

RobboRider thanks for the info, sounds like you fly in similar conditions even though you're 6000 miles away.

To me it sounds like it is the PIC's responsability at the end of the day. If you sign an indemnity form on delivery and don't notice contaminants its you're a** they will want.

Hopefully I can furnish my CAA with 1000 pages of literature on the subject so I can operate fron the bush again.

Thanks again



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