through the filter could actually be water, which is very likely to get to the engine, since the filters on the airframe itself are not as restrictive. Turbine aircraft at high altitudes use fuel heaters (actually heat exchangers based on bleed air or engine oil) to melt the ice crystals that form in the fuel up there. Aircraft parked overnight should ideally have tanks completely filled to stop condensation, but this is impractical if you expect a full load the next morning and don't have room for full fuel as well, in which case be prepared to do extensive sampling from the tanks. Half filled drums left overnight should not be used for the same reasons, but, in remote places (like the Arctic), fuel is a precious commodity and you think more than twice before discarding any (as it happens, drums are scarce too, and they may get used for all sorts of things, particularly diesel for drills, so beware – always smell the contents first). Full drums are usually delivered to a remote cache by Twin Otter or something, and they should be sealed straight from the refuellers—as you tend to use any remainder in a very short time, this can be minimised somewhat. Look for a fill date, as fuel over two years old should be looked at sceptically. Also look for a large X, which is the accepted symbol for contamination, although not everyone has a black marker with them. An unofficial, but excellent (if not better) substitute for water paste or detectors when using jet fuel is food colouring, which you can at least get in the local grocery store, even if you're in Baffin Island. All you need is one drop – if there is no water present, it will disperse evenly over the surface. If there is water, the food colouring will go directly to the water droplets, which will be more visible anyway from the colour. Drums should not be stored vertically for long periods, because the bungs are not airtight, even though they might stop fuel from leaking out (although it is good idea to stand them vertically for about half an hour before you use the fuel). When the contents contract as the air cools overnight, water inside the rim and collecting around the bung can be sucked in as well, so either Operational Procedures 93 store the drums on their sides, with openings at 3 or 9 o’clock, or stick something underneath at 12 o’clock that causes the drum to slant enough to stop rainwater collecting and covering the bungs. Other openings or connections should be protected with blanks or covers, or at least have their openings left facing downwards. Drain plugs, valves, filter bowls, sumps and filter meshes should be checked daily for sediment, slime or corrosion. Always have spare filters. The reason why long-term storage is not good for fuel (up to two years for drums is the accepted maximum) is partly because of daily temperature changes. When it is warm, the fuel |