2nd Annual NATA Ground Handling Safety Symposium Call for Speakers

The NATA Ground Handling Safety Symposium (GHSS) is the only industry event focused on the needs of FBOs and other general aviation ground handlers from an operational safety perspective. Entering its second year, the NATA GHSS has distinguished itself as the key annual gathering for GA ground handlers to investigate, explore and discuss the latest issues and trends in ground handling safety.

NATA is seeking industry professionals willing to participate in the GHSS through sharing their experiences and expertise. The following needs have been identified:

1. FBO or GA ground handling personnel willing to provide a 15-20 min presentation on an actual ground handling incident, or near miss, including a review of the root cause analysis. The purpose of these sessions is to engage GHSS attendees in reviewing trends and issues occurring within our industry.
   • These sessions will be closed to the press and attendees will be required to agree to confidentiality
2. Ground Handling Fatigue Management & Fitness for Duty
3. Just Culture & Accountability
4. Generational Leadership
5. Addressing Turnover and Talent Acquisition

Individuals interested in presenting at the 2018 NATA GHSS should contact Michael France, Managing Director, Safety & Training at mfrance@nata.aero by Friday, July 13. Symposium speakers receive:

• Complimentary event sponsorship,
• Complimentary 1-day registration
• And a discount on registration to attend the full event.

For more information on the 2018 NATA GHSS, please visit www.nata.aero/ghss.

Latest Air BP Offering Contributes to Misfueling Prevention

Earlier this month, Air BP announced their new Airfield Automation technology — an innovative cloud-based platform that enhances safety, reliability and compliance in aircraft refueling operations. According to the Air BP press release:

“The cloud-based platform consolidates the data related to airport fueling operations and works via an app on a handheld device in the fueling vehicles. The appropriately named ‘safe2go’ app captures fuel volume readings and provides fuel grade checks to add an additional misfuelling barrier. It then electronically captures customer details which are confirmed with an electronic signature from the pilot or airline. By using this automated, end-to-end, paperless system, accuracy is enhanced and any potential miss-keying errors minimized”

Air BP tested the technology over the past two years at 9 separate locations in the UK, Cyprus and Portugal and expects it to be fully implemented at 350 locations by 2020. They believe it to be “the first commercially deployed system in the world to provide an engineering barrier to actively help prevent misfuelling. As a result, Air BP is currently pursuing patent protection for this distinctive technology”.

Kerry Rutherford the Technical Director for Air BP stated, “Misfuelling is one of the biggest risks we face in our industry, the new Air BP Airfield Automation technology provides an engineering barrier to stop it happening. As aircraft engine technology advances and new unleaded fuel grades are introduced, we anticipate that it will become even more relevant in the future”

NATA has long been an advocate in the fight against aircraft misfueling and offers a General Aviation Misfueling Prevention program free of charge. The program includes learning tracks for pilots, FBO managers, line service techs and CSRs to educate everyone involved in the refueling process about their role in misfueling prevention. To learn more visit www.preventmisfueling.com.

 

Airlines For America Extends Several Important Filter Monitor Deadlines

Airlines for America (A4A) released Bulletin 2018.1 this week in response to industry feedback for compliance dates affecting filter monitors. The new bulletin supersedes the previous dates issued in A4A bulletin 2017.2 and extends them to December 31^st, 2018 for the following action items:

• Upgrade 2-inch diameter filter monitors to EI 1583 7^th edition
• Upgrade 6-inch diameter out-to-in filter monitors to EI 1583 7^th edition
• Convert 6-inch diameter in-to-out filter monitors to EI 1581 Filter Water Separators

The extension is welcome news for many operators who currently utilize filter monitors and may have been surprised by the announcement late last year that filter monitors, which are widely used around the world for aviation fuel filtration, would be phased out of operation by December 31^st, 2020. NATA has and will continue to follow this issue closely to bring you the latest developments.

2018 NATA Aviation Business Conference

The NATA Safety 1^st Team is here to tell you about a can’t miss opportunity to enhance your knowledge and network, the upcoming 2018 NATA Aviation Business Conference (ABC). The ABC is the only conference in our industry dedicated to meeting the needs of professionals working in a variety of aviation businesses, including FBOs, Part 135 operators, airports and MROs. On June 12-14, you will have the opportunity to hear from and interact with government officials and industry experts on the issues that affect your business and career. Here are just a few of the topics of interest to aviation safety professionals:

• Combating Workforce Challenges: Attract and Retain Future General Aviation Professionals
• The ROI of SMS
• The FBO Leadership Gap
• Reducing Hangar Rash
• Ethical Standards and Consequences within Aviation Businesses
• Airport Lease Agreements – The DOs and DONTs I Wish I Knew

You also have the opportunity to participate in meetings with your Members of Congress to discuss important industry issues, the value your business brings to the community and the contributions it makes to the national economy.

Registration is $945 and includes a Welcome Reception, two Breakfast meals, Networking Reception, and Awards Presentation Luncheon.

This year, NATA is excited to offer a reduced registration fee (50% off) for young professionals under the age of 40, please contact kuko@nata.aero for more details.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity and register today at www.nata.aero/abc.

Gammon Technical Offering New Decals for DP Gauges Free of Charge

Gammon Technical Products recently announced they are offering free status indicator decals for their differential pressure gauges (0-30 psi scale range). The decals feature a color-coded system that make the gauge easier to read: green is good, yellow indicates concern, and red means STOP!

For ease of use, the decals can be affixed to the side of the scale not being referenced (psi or bar), so that the red color starts at the critical change-out number. In most cases, the change-out number will be 15psi, 1 bar or equal.

The decals are being offered free of charge through June 30^th, 2018, and will cost $3.25 each as of July 1^st. To order (Part # GTP 9721) contact Gammon Technical Products at (732) 223-4600 or info@gammontech.com.

For questions on differential pressure and selecting your change-out number, contact sberry@nata.aero.

NATA HOSTS FOURTH ADVANCED LINE SERVICE WORKSHOP OF 2018 | NEXT WORKSHOP JULY 31-AUGUST 1 IN AUSTIN

NATA wrapped up another successful Advanced Line Service Workshop this past week at DuPage Flight Center in West Chicago, IL. ALS workshops include a unique mix of technical and service training with sessions on motivation and leadership techniques, customer service training, misfueling prevention, Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) training, and the impact of human factors on aviation ground handling. Guest speakers Rick Spencer of Peco-Facet and Keith Clark of Phillips 66 led sessions on aviation fuel filtration, quality control and misfueling prevention. Attendees received hands-on fire extinguisher training during a live fire demonstration conducted by West Chicago Fire Department.

NATA would like to thank Brian DeCoudres and all the staff at DuPage Flight Center for making this event possible. We also appreciate Peco-Facet for sponsoring the remaining 2018 ALS Workshops!

NATA is hosting 3 more ALS workshops throughout the country in 2018. Click here for dates and registration information.

Groups explore how understanding different motivational styles can help draw the best out of employees.

ALS students learn how to perform API gravity testing which is a vital part of the fuel receipt and quality control process.

Martin French of TAC Air RDU puts out a live fire during the hands-on extinguisher training session of the Advanced Line Service workshop. NATA would like to thank the West Chicago Fire Department for helping with this invaluable training.

Filter Vessel Maintenance Doesn’t Stop at Replacing the Elements

In our previous SafetyNet blog post, “The GamGram”  we told you about The GamGram and what a great resource it is for anyone involved with aviation fuel handling. In the latest GamGram #69, Gammon Technical Products addresses some of the filter vessel maintenance concerns that often get over-looked. Many facilities may think that filter vessel maintenance is pretty much limited to changing filters and monitoring differential pressure. While these tasks are very important and great starting points, there are many other components of filter vessels that can lead to bigger problems down the road, if neglected. Check out GamGram #69 Filter Vessel Concerns to learn more.