Delivered Fuel, Mixed Fueling, Wide-Cut Fuel, Fuel Freezing Point and Fuel Spillage

Delivered Fuel

After fueling, refueling operator shall hand over a copy of a Fuel Delivery Sheet with indicated fuel quantity, specific gravity and OAT to the supervising flight crew or line maintenance staff.

The flight crew shall:
• Compare the quantity of fuel on the Fuel Delivery Sheet with the:
   - Fuel gauges of the fuel truck. If the quantity is correct, they confirm it with the signature on behalf of the Company;
   - Indicated quantity at the cockpit fuel quantity gauges;
• Enter correctly the details of the fuel uplift in the Aircraft Technical Log and carry out the gross error check;
• Keep and file a copy of the Fuel Delivery Sheet in the Flight Envelope.

Mixed Fueling

In case Jet A1 fuel is unavailable, the use of another fuel type may be authorized by the Commander. Mixing of fuel is only permitted as specified in the ‘Limitations’ section of the OM Part B.

The various types of fuels available could be mixed in all proportions. When mixing the fuels:
• The density varies proportional to the percentage of the mixture;
• The flash point of the mixture varies in function of non-straight laws.

A major consideration when mixing fuels at normal temperatures is the fuel air mixture that develops in the space above the fuel inside the tank. JP4 and JET B develop an ignitable fuel air mixture at frequently encountered ambient temperatures. When JP4 or JET B and JET A1 are being mixed, the fuel vapour mixture with air is in the explosive or ignitable envelope throughout the range of ground temperatures common at the majority of aerodromes during all or part of the year.

Wide-cut Fuel

Wide-cut fuel is considered to be used when it is being supplied or when it is already present in aeroplane fuel tanks (when loading JET B or JP4 into an aeroplane with JET A1 or other kerosene type already onboard and vice versa).

Important: Use of wide-cut fuel types should be avoided whenever possible.

If a situation arises, that only wide-cut fuels are available for refueling/defueling, flight crew should be aware that mixtures of wide-cut fuels and kerosene turbine fuels can result in the air/fuel mixture in the tank being in the combustible range at ambient temperatures.

The extra precautions set out below are advisable to avoid arcing in the tank due to electrostatic discharge.

The risk of this type of arcing can be minimized by the use of a static dissipation additive in the fuel. When this additive is present in the proportions stated in the fuel specification, the normal fueling precautions set out in this chapter are considered adequate.

When refueling/defueling with fuels not containing anti-static additive, and where widecut fuel are involved, top-up at fuel filling rates reduced by 50% of the normal filling rate.

Over-wing refueling is not permitted when wide-cut fuels are involved.

When refueling with wide cut fuels the aeroplane electrical supply should be switched off before refueling starts, and remain off until refueling ceases and the hoses have been removed.

Fueling with wide cut type fuel shall not be carried out with passengers onboard/ boarding/disembarking.

When wide-cut fuel has been used, this should be recorded in the Aircraft Technical Log. The next two uplifts of standard fuel type shall still be considered as if the wide-cut fuel type is in use.

Fuel Freezing Point

The only reliable way to obtain an accurate freeze point of a mixture of fuels is to make an actual freeze point measurement. When this is not possible, to determine the fuel freezing point, apply the following:
• When the mixture contains less than 10% JET A, the fuel is considered as JET A1;
• When the mixture contains more than 10% JET A, the fuel is considered as JET A.

Refueling with Passengers Onboard/Boarding/Disembarking

General

In addition to the safety procedure laid down in OM Part A, Chapter 8, the following rules apply:

• If required, the Local Airport Authorities/Fire Services shall be informed and/or permission shall be requested;
• Procedure shall be authorized by the Commander;
• Ground handling staff, passengers and the fueling company shall be informed about the procedure;
• Not permitted with wide cut gasoline type fuel (JET B, JP4 or equivalent) or when a mixture with these types of fuel might occur.

Passengers Boarding / Disembarking

Passenger boarding/disembarkation must be carried out in a controlled manner.

In addition to safety measures laid-down in OM Part A, Chapter 8.2.1.2, the following rules apply:

• The passengers shall be informed (at the gate) that the fueling is in progress during boarding;
• Passengers joining or leaving the aeroplane via the apron shall be moved immediately under the supervision of a responsible person over a safe route;
• Passengers shall be kept at a safe distance from the fueling operation and other hazardous areas such as aeroplane engines, APU exhausts and fuel tank vents;
• Congestion in front of the aeroplane doors shall be avoided;
• Ground activities outside the aeroplane and work within the aeroplane, such as catering and cleaning, should be conducted in such a manner that they do not create a hazard or obstruct emergency exits.

Flight Crew

Flight crew shall:

• Inform the cabin crew of the beginning and ending of fueling;
• Ensure that at least one flight crew member remains in the cockpit during the entire process and communication is established and maintained with the person supervising the fueling (either via headset, mobile phone or other means);
• Listen for fire warning from the supervising staff;
• Be prepared to initiate passenger evacuation if necessary;
• Ensure the ‘No Smoking’ sign and the ‘Exit’ sign are ON;
• Ensure the ‘Fasten seat belt’ sign is OFF.

Cabin Crew

The cabin crew shall ensure that:

• Communication is established with the flight crew;
• No Smoking sign and EXIT signs are ON;
• Fasten Seat Belts sign is OFF;
• A minimum of two exit doors shall be opened and passenger stairs/jetways shall be positioned at these doors. If only one passenger stair/jetway is available, the requirement for the second exit may be met by positioning a qualified cabin crew, who will remain at a second exit throughout the refueling/defueling process. The exit door(s) should be armed;
• All exit areas, cabin aisles and cross aisles inside the aeroplane should be kept of any obstructions;
• Ground servicing such as catering or cleaning do not risk creating hazard or hindering an emergency evacuation.

The cabin crew shall instruct passengers:

• That smoking is prohibited;
• To remain seated but to unfasten their seat belts;
• Not to operate any electronic devices.

Additional Fuel

When additional fuel shall be tanked or defueling is necessary after embarkation is completed, the requirement for passenger stairs or boarding ramp may be disregarded when:

• All ground equipment is removed from the aeroplane;
• Cabin crew is standing-by for immediate evacuation;
• Interphone/direct contact ground-to-cockpit is established.

Airport Fire Brigade

The airport fire brigade shall be informed about the parking position - if locally required.

The presence of the fire brigade at the aeroplane is not required unless local regulations rule otherwise. The fire fighting service shall be within extinguishing range or available within 2 minutes.

Fueling with One Engine Running

Refer to FCOM PER-LOD-FUL Refueling with One Engine Running.

This procedure may be used only if:

• Operationally unavoidable due APU failure and unavailability of ground pneumatic unit;
• Authorized by Commander;
• All passengers are disembarked;
• Authorized by Local Airport Authority;
• Pressure refueling system is fully operational (overwing filling is not permitted);
• Fueling equipment is positioned a maximum distance from the running engine;
• Airport fire department stands by at the aeroplane during the entire refueling procedure;
• One flight crew member can manage the operation and monitor all systems and running engine from cockpit;
• A qualified ground crew member is present at the fueling station.

Fuel Spillage

In the event of a fuel spillage, fueling supervisor or supervising flight crew member shall immediately:

• Ensure that the fueling process stops;
• Notify the aerodrome fire service and request to mobilize all available fire fighting equipment as standby protection until the arrival of the aerodrome emergency services;
• Comply with the appropriate aerodrome procedures;
• Notify the flight crew and/or cabin crew by the quickest means.

Flight crew shall inform ATC of spillage and consider shutting down APU. If fueling operation was done with one engine running, that engine shall be shut down immediately.

Fuel spillage is considered to present a fire hazard if greater than 2 metres in diameter.

Following additional precautions shall be accomplished in the event of fuel spillage:

• A rapid disembarkation of the passengers from the aeroplane shall be initiated in coordination with the crew;
• Handling staff shall leave the fueling zone. The movement of unauthorized personnel or vehicles into the affected area shall be stopped and all activities in the vicinity shall be restricted to reduce the risk of ignition;
• No mechanically or electronically propelled vehicles shall be allowed to approach within 15 meters (50 feet) of the spillage;
• Engines of vehicles within 3 meters (10 feet) of a spillage shall not be started and all further electrical switching avoided, until the area is declared safe;
• The ground power and air conditioning units within 3 meters (10 feet) shall be stopped;
• Spilled fuel shall be removed or dried up immediately with the fire service in attendance;
• If considered necessary the aeroplane shall be towed to a safer place.

Normal operations shall not be resumed on the aeroplane or any engines started before the person in charge of the emergency determines that it is safe to continue. If fuel is spilled on any load, then such items are not to be loaded into the aeroplane.