Issue 7
December 10, 2001
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NATA Safety 1st e-Line Service News
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Welcome to the NATA Safety 1st e-Line Service newsletter,
a quarterly summary of the latest NATA Safety 1st news
and education, dedicated to line service staff. Please
make copies available to all line service technicians,
both full and part-time.
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In this Issue of NATA Safety 1st e-Line Service ...
****NATA Safety 1st Program and Other NATA News
****Featured Safety Article Fuel Trucks: Manually Operated Internal Valves
****FAQ --- NATA Safety 1st and Fueling Issues
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****NATA Safety 1st Program and Other NATA News
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NATA NEWS
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The last issue of the e-Line came out one week prior to the atrocities
of September 11, 2001. Now our thoughts and concerns have given way to
new priorities and meaning. One thing is certain. The world and the way
we view our security and freedom will not be taken for granted any time
soon.
As we continue this unwanted, but warranted war on terrorism, we have defined a clear course of action to choose perseverance over intimidation. As a nation, we are clearly taking a course that the terrorists could not imagine. Hatred must have blinded them. There is no doubt they will learn the error of their ways.
NATA has been very busy since September 11th. First and foremost, we have kept you up-to-date on the latest NOTAMS and how they affected your business. We testified on your behalf and fought to retain the freedom of flight. We relentlessly talked and reminded everyone of the economic impact that general aviation has on the economy. And we continue to fight for your economic viability during these trying times.
NATA has taken a proactive approach to the security of our businesses, employees and customers. We formed the National Air Transportation Association's (NATA) Business Aviation Security Task Force within 2 weeks. The task force issued a security mission statement in a press release to the membership. They also issued a series of recommendations, which NATA is encouraging aviation businesses, their customers and tenants to adopt. Security regulations and guidelines continue to unfold as NATA continues to lead and communicate important issues to both the government and membership.
In late October, our NATA Committees met in Atlanta to review and consult
about security concerns as well as other aviation business issues. It
was a very productive 2 days in which each Committee presented their input
on the security measures they had put into place or were in the process
of implementing.
In the new year, NATA will produce a security video for use at all member FBOs. In addition, regional seminars will be conducted giving the latest security measures available. As your businesses implement these guidelines and procedures, we will continue to educate the public and media on the merits and safety of traveling by general aviation aircraft. We recommend you keep your customers and employees informed concerning the positive ways you have of assuring their safety and security.
We have had conversations with many of you since September 11th. We are
very pleased to report that many of your businesses have shown an increase
in business within weeks of the tragedy. Some recovered within a month
or two and others have reported a significant increase in overall business
since the tragedy. We commend you and encourage you to keep up the good
work.
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PROGRAM NEWS
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The NATA Safety 1st Program will have a booth at the NBAA Schedulers and Dispatcher's Conference January 13-16, 2002 in Orlando, Florida. Come visit our new display. We will have NATA Safety 1st counter cards available for your booth. Stop by so that we can catch up with you and give you your counter card.
It may be time to test your line technicians to remain in compliance with
the NATA Safety 1st Program. Testing is done every other year in the program.
Don't worry though. We will let you know when retesting is required.
We will send a letter that includes a list of your line techs and the
date last tested. The letter requires you to line through employees that
are no longer at your facility. Please make sure those that are still
at your facility get tested again. The letter makes it easy to order new
test binders to expedite the process. Keep up the good work! Retesting
is at an all time high!
We will be working hard to get testing online this year. As we progress
in this area, we will keep you informed. Online testing will provide a
two-fold benefit for you. It will give test results immediately and provide
a permanent training record. The training record will be accessible any
time in an easy to use, permanent record.
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SEMINAR NEWS
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Please remember the Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar (LSST) is
a required part of the NATA Safety 1st Program. If you have already sent
someone from your business, please feel free to skip to the next paragraph.
If not, it is required that one person from your line service, usually
the supervisor, attend an LSST. And remember, as long as that person remains
with your company, the LSST requirement has been met for Safety 1st. The
next LSST will be held in Atlanta on January 24-25,2002. Additional seminars
are posted on our website too. We encourage you to look at our website
for seminar location, hotel recommendation and registration details.
We just rolled out our new one-day seminar, Train the Trainer, led by
Brenda Casper, Executive Director of ATI. The seminar was held the day
before the Salt Lake City LSST and a discount given to those who attended
both seminars. It was a great success with many line service supervisors
and trainers learning the latest training tips. It is a very interactive
seminar with many training tools and techniques followed up by hands-on
exercises specific to aviation training. It also gives you a better idea
on what kind of trainer you are and why. Our next seminar will be held
in Indianapolis, Indiana during the NATA Convention. Don't miss out!
Our other new seminar, Financial Management Tools and Techniques for Aviation
Service Businesses, was held in Addison, Texas on December 3-4, 2001.
Experts in the industry, Phil Botana, Jet Solutions, LLC and Mark Chambers,
Aviation Resource Group International, led the seminar. It was a dynamic
group of general managers, supervisors and accountants in the aviation
industry. All attendees learned the latest tools, techniques and metrics
that impact the aviation industry. All information is aviation specific
with hands-on exercises that compliment the learning experience. Come
join us at the NATA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana for another Financial
Management Tools and Techniques for Aviation Service Businesses.
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NATA CONVENTION NEWS
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The 2002 Annual Convention will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana at theIndianapolis Convention Center in March 26-28, 2002. You can make hotel reservations online at our website.
You might want to get a head start on travel arrangements too. We have
secured some discounts for you with the airlines and rental car agencies.
We look forward to seeing you there.
General Aviation is always the preferred method of travel. NATA has arranged
for special discounts with two air-lines, listed below, for convention
attendees. Before you buy your ticket to Indianapolis, compare the discount
fares being offered by American Airlines and US Airways! The major airport
serving downtown Indianapolis is the Indianapolis International Airport
located 10 minutes from the NATA official hotels.
American Airlines
Call Toll Free: (800) 433-1790
Reference: Star File Number A4732AF*
Receive 5% off lowest published fare*
Receive 5% additional discount by purchasing 60 days in advance.
US Airways
Call Toll Free (877) 874-7687
Reference: Gold File Number 84682113
* Receive 10% off regular published discounts
* Receive 5% additional discount by purchasing 60 daysin advance.
DISCOUNTED RENTAL CAR RATES
Budget Rent-A-Car is offering convention attendeesspecial discounted rates
on every class of car fromeconomy to minivan. Discounts are for both daily
andweekly rentals, and include unlimited mileage unlessotherwise mentioned
by a Budget Representative.
Budget
Call toll free (800) 772-3773
Reference: Discount No. U064705
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MEMBER NEWS
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It's always fun to talk with our NATA Safety 1st participants and learn about some of the unique things they are doing on the line. Galvin Flying has a great way of identifying experience among their line technicians. As the line technicians progress in their training, they have color-coded badges indicating their achievements. Once the line technician has completed the NATA Safety 1st Program, they receive the ultimate color-coded badge.
Great idea!
Jim Saia, with Midcoast Aviation, reported they have a unique solution
to help line technicians remember key facts. They issue all line technicians
a laminated card folded the size of a business card. When the line techs
want or need to confirm information, they just pull out their card and
refer to it. Another unique procedure.
Let us hear from you...If you’d like to share something with other NATA Safety 1st participants, send an email to Amy Koranda with information and/or pictures for the NATA e-Line and website.
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****Featured Safety Article...FUEL TRUCKS: MANUALLY OPERATED INTERNAL
VALVES
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As part of this e-Line, we will include an educational
article.
Most of the articles will provide continuing education on issues
of importance to line service. In addition, if you are currently
taking the NATA Safety 1st written and practical exams, these
articles will make great study material. Feel free to copy them
and maintain a book for future reference.
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Fuel Trucks: Manually Operated Internal Valves
By: Mike Mooney, Valley Oil Company, LLC
Email: Mike Mooney
Website: http://www.valleyoilco.com<a href="http://www.valleyoilco.com">AOL
users, click here</a>
Tele: (503) 362-3633
Fax: (503) 362-9954
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In Line Service, sometimes the little things can cause
big problems ….
I have recently noticed a disturbing practice by some line service technicians;
operating aircraft refueler trucks and leaving manually operated internal
valves in the open position at all times. The trucks I am most concerned
about have a spring-loaded handle that manually controls the internal
valve and in some cases doubles as the emergency shut-off. You must pull
this handle out to open the internal valve and allow fuel to flow from
the tank. If you push this handle in, a spring should automatically close
the internal valve and stop the flow of fuel. That is why some of them
are labeled "Emergency Shutoff" and painted red.
A little thing….
While I was visiting an airport in Florida last spring, I noticed the
line technician pull up in the avgas truck. He shut the engine off, set
the brake, jumped out and went into the office. As I proceeded to walk
around the truck I noticed the manual internal valve (that was also marked
emergency shut-off) pulled out. Refuelers like this were built with a
3 1/2 inch wide vent that opens when the internal is open (see illustrations).
It rises about one inch and allows air to flow out of or into the tank.
A big problem….
This vent has no rain or dust hood to protect it from the elements. Remember
we are in Florida, where 3 inches of rain can fall in a matter of minutes.
With that kind of rainfall the tank top drains can easily back-up and
water will pool on the top of the truck's tank much like a backed up sink.
The open vent then acts like a drain allowing the water to flow directly
into the tank, contaminating the fuel. This has happened and resulted
in water being pumped into aircraft. Dirt and other debris can also enter
the tank through the open vent.
Even if your refueler truck's tank vent is air operated and/or protected
with a hood you are not operating safely if you leave the internals open
all the time. Remember this valve controls the valve at the bottom of
the tank. When opened, it floods the plumbing with fuel where it is drawn
into the pump, then pushed through the filter, meter, hose, and nozzle.
If you leave this valve open you remove/override an important safety feature.
For instance, if while driving the truck you run over a wheel chock, curbing,
or other high spot and rupture the plumbing, without the valve in the
closed position, you will spill the entire contents of the tank on the
ground. What if the truck develops a leak during the night while the FBO
is closed? Fuel spills are dangerous, damaging to the environment, and
very expensive to clean up. Many avgas trucks are also fitted with vapor
recovery systems. When the vent is left open and the trucks are full,
fuel can splash into the vapor line as the truck is driven.
Solutions…..
Thankfully a majority of truck designs include an inter-lock that sets
the brake when the internal valve is opened, so the valve must be closed
before you can move the truck. Line Service training should always include
an explanation of your refueler trucks and their systems. It should include
the strict procedure that internal valves should be opened only when needed
and returned to their normal closed position upon completion of fueling.
I challenge you to walk out on the ramp right now and look at your trucks.
If you find an internal improperly opened, please correct the situation
before a little thing causes a big problem.
Mike Mooney is the Vice President of Sales and Technical Services for
Valley Oil Company, LLC and is a regular speaker at NATA's Line Service
Supervisor Training Seminars.
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****FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) --- NATA Safety 1st
and Fueling Issues
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This section will help you with the paperwork and study
process.
In addition, we will include other questions about fueling issues
that are frequently asked. If you have any tips to share, please
submit them to us and we will include them in upcoming e-Lines.
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In the last e-Line we posed the following question;
"One of our NATA Safety 1st participants has posed a question. We'd
like to ask what you do to address this particular issue. Please email
<mailto:akoranda@nata-online.org> with your comments. All information
will be reviewed and results will be distributed without any identitie
being revealed. Thank you ahead of time for your assistance and participation
on the question below.
As part of our fuel management program, we require our QC inspectors when receiving fuel by transport truck, to physically stick each load prior to receipt, which means he/she must climb on top of the trailer. In addition, they must also climb back up once the transport has been off-loaded to verify it is empty."
Do other NATA members require their people be on top of fuel trucks while
topping them off, and if not, why? We require them to be up there in the
event the high level shut-off fails and thereby preventing a fuel spill."
Since we asked this question, more responses have b een received that
you may not have seen. The feedback is complete now. For a full view of
all of the comments, please go to our website.
In the each e-Line, we ask you to share safety information or statistics
about how the NATA Safety 1st Program has impacted your business. Please
keep information coming our way! We really think you are doing a great
job of keeping those lines safe.
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The NATA Safety 1st e-Line Service newsletter is distributed quarterly.
We welcome your feedback on this newsletter and any topics you would like
to see discussed. Send articles/email to Amy Koranda.
Thank you for your commitment to line service safety...
keep those ramps safe.