Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Contamination Risk | NATA Fuel QC Training and Resources Available

Our industry has seen several incidents in recent months where DEF was accidently injected into jet fuel instead of FSII, causing significant aircraft damage. Although none of these incidents led to an aircraft crash, there is a substantial risk of engine failure in aircraft fueled with DEF contaminated fuel. NATA urges its members that utilize Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) and Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII or Prist) to review their storage, handling and personnel training procedures to prevent dangerous fuel contamination.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) that addresses the dangers of DEF contaminated aviation fuel.

In December of 2017, NATA released a DEF Contamination Prevention training course through its Safety 1^st Supplemental Safety Training program. This course is provided free of charge to anyone in the industry and could help prevent future incidents related to DEF Contamination. Current Safety 1^st users have the ability to assign the DEF Contamination Prevention course to their employees utilizing their Safety 1^st training account. Companies that are not current Safety 1^st users should contact us for complimentary access to the DEF Contamination Prevention course.

Current Safety 1^st Users – click here for directions on assigning courses

Non Safety 1^st Users – click here to contact us at safety1st@nata.aero

Additionally, NATA provides the following resources to assist and educate our members on aviation fuel management:

• 2018 Certified QC Inspector Program – September 18-19 – Charlotte, NC
• 2018 Ground Handling Safety Symposium – September 11-12 – Ashburn, VA
• Fuel QC Management System – A cloud-based digital tool for the management of aviation fuel quality control
• General Aviation Misfueling Prevention Program  – Free awareness training for Pilots, Line Service Professionals, General Managers and Customer Service Representatives.

For questions regarding DEF contamination prevention or any of the resources described in this alert, please contact safety1st@nata.aero.

What’s New for the Upcoming Annual Ground Handling Safety Symposium | September 11-12 Ashburn, VA

On September 11-12 in Ashburn, VA (IAD), attendees of NATA’s Ground Handling Safety Symposium (GHSS) will participate in open forum discussions focused on the operational safety needs of FBOs and other GA ground handlers. In NATA’s latest podcast, hear more about how we’re expanding opportunities to collaborate and share what’s happening in the world of ground handling safety. For more information or to register, please visit www.nata.aero/ghss.

FAA Clarifies 139 Fire Safety Training Requirements

Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued National Part 139 Cert Alert 18-06 to clarify the requirements for  hands-on portable fire extinguisher training provided in conjunction with approved 139.321 (e)(1) supervisory fire safety courses. In April, the FAA issued Cert Alert 18-03, appearing to indicate that hands-on fire extinguisher training required the extinguishing of an actual fire – a position that conflicted with long-time industry practice allowing simulated fires when actual fires were prohibited or impractical. Based upon feedback from NATA member companies, NATA staff met with FAA officials to discuss the impracticality of requiring actual live fire during all training.

Now, Cert Alert 18-06 specifically allows for the use of realistic training devices when live fire is prohibited or impractical. Additionally, Cert Alert 18-06 provides details on other requirements of hands-on fire extinguisher training.

Any questions regarding Cert Alert 18-06 or FAR 139.321 training should be directed to safety1st@nata.aero.

NATA HOSTS FIFTH ADVANCED LINE SERVICE WORKSHOP OF 2018 | NEXT WORKSHOP OCTOBER 24-25 IN LONG ISLAND, NY

Last week, NATA wrapped up another successful Advanced Line Service Workshop at Austin Executive Airport in Texas. 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 Collin Self of Facet Filters 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 Jodie Kaluza and all the staff at Austin Executive Airport for making this event possible. We also appreciate Facet Filters for sponsoring the remaining 2018 ALS Workshops!

There are only 2 more ALS workshops left for this year! Click here for dates and registration information.

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.