-
Includes Petro Expo 2011 catalogue
From freezing temperatures to renewable fuelsAllied Aviation
talks about the challengesOf providing 6 billion gallons of jetfuel
each year
Biojet fuel takes offRenewable aviation fuels are coming, but
what are the legislative, environmental and economic issues that
still need to be overcome?
handlermagazine
Creating Opportunities for Petroleum Professionals
May 2011 • Volume 1 • Issue 1
-
The Fuelhandler page heading
XX APRIL 2011
NPMA annual awards for 2010The NPMA Selection Committee has
announced the winners of the 2010
Outstanding Organisational and Individual Awards for Excellence
in Airport Fuels Management, Operations, and Maintenance
SiLVeR nOZZLe TROphYThe NPMA Silver Nozzle Trophy is presented
annually to the most outstanding airport fueling organisation in
the US. This rotating trophy signifies organisational excellence
and superior performance at the end of the fuel supply chain.
MOST OUTSTanding aiRpORT FUeLing OpeRaTiOn The winner for 2010
is SKY HARBOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT PHOENIX, ARIZONA. Sky Harbor
is the 15th busiest airport in the world and is a major gateway to
America. Swissport Fueling is the operator of the Sky Harbor
aviation fueling facilities consisting of 150,000 barrels of jet
fuel storage on the airport and 700,000 barrels at the remote
facility just off the airport. Swissport has an enormous system and
a huge mission in fueling over 560 aircraft with over a million
gallons of fuel daily through 305 hydrant fuel pits and truck
loading stations. The company stands out in every category –
management, accounting, operations, maintenance, quality,
inspection, safety, and environmental. Sky Harbor’s outstanding
record is intertwined in their attention to detail and emphasis on
absolute compliance with every aspect of professional fuel handling
24/7.
geneRaL ManageR OF The YeaR THOMAS DOHERTY, Allied Aviation
Services, at Miami International Airport garnered this year’s top
fuels management award. Doherty’s leadership, knowledge, and
management skill are evidenced in all aspects of Miami’s
outstanding fuelling operation. He has raised efficiency while
lowering costs through embracing a teamwork attitude that has
improved employee dependability and productivity. Following a
career path of hands-on work in all aspects of aviation fuel
handling, his exceptional knowledge and experience have clearly
made him a stand out manager in all facets of the airfield fuels
support. The airport, the airlines, his company, and the community
have consistently singled him out for his exceptional work. He is
truly an outstanding manager and a leader in his field.
STaTiOn ManageR OF The YeaRJAMES STUCKEY, Swissport Fueling,
Chicago Midway Airport, Chicago Illinois, is this year’s top
Station Manager. Stuckey has been recognised by his company as one
of the most professional and dedicated managers in their entire
nationwide organisation. Multi-talented and experienced in all
aspects of aviation fuels handling, including maintenance and
operation of fixed fuels facilities and mobile equipment, he is a
professional manager and leader with great respect throughout the
Midway complex. The timeliness, effectiveness, and rigid compliance
to quality and safety standards have made Swissport standout as a
great member of the airport support element.
OpeRaTiOnS ManageR OF The YeaRDONALD SCOTT, Swissport Fueling,
Oakland International airport, Oakland, California, is this year’s
top Operations Manager supervisor. Scott is responsible for the
day-to-day fuelling operations of one of the busiest airports on
the west coast of the US. He has been recognised for his management
skills, training techniques, and inspection effectiveness. He
brought the support effectiveness for Federal Express to a new
level. He clearly stands out for his people skills and the pride
and professionalism that he instills in the workforce.
MainTenanCe ManageR OF The YeaRCHARLES LAUDAGE, Allied New York
Services, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York,
is the year’s top Maintenance Manager. Charlie Laudage is the
director of maintenance activities for the largest and most complex
airport fixed fuel system and a mobile fleet of almost 200 serving
units and support vehicles. He also maintains over fifty miles of
pipeline and over six million barrels of jet fuel storage.
Charlie’s reputation throughout the worldwide aviation fueling
industry is legend. He is a member and valued consultant in
numerous standards and specification preparing activities and
professional organisations.
FaCiLTY ManageR OF The YeaRROBERT E. CARROLL JR., Swissport
Fueling, Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, is the
year’s top airport aviation fuels Facility Manager. Carroll is a
strong leader and manager highly respected at all levels with his
organisation. Responsible for the huge airport fuels storage and
distribution complex, his performance and quality of his work is
amply shown by Swissport’s Sky Harbor operation earning the NPMA
Silver Nozzle Award as the most outstanding airport fueling support
operation in the country for 2010. He stands out in his ability to
prepare budgets and develop error-free long range programmes.
FUeLhandLeR OF The YeaREDWARD DELACRUZ, Allied Aviation, San
Antonio International Airport, San Antonio, Texas, is the year’s
top fuelhandler and servicing equipment operator. An experienced
fuels operator on all equipment, he has been singled out for his
professionalism, his dedication, his unbridled enthusiasm, and,
most importantly, his reliability to treat each refueling operation
with absolute respect and top safety consideration. These qualities
and conduct of his work amply reflects his discipline and
professionalism from a former career as a US Ordinance man. He is
consistently recognised for his attention to detail and the
exemplary quality of his work.
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MAY 2011 1
COnTenTS The Fuelhandler
3 Comment from the NPMA Chairman
4 Latest news from the sector 19 Update on new technology and
services 21 Incident report 22 Profile: without fuel pilots are
pedestrians From freezing temperatures to renewable fuels,
Allied
Aviation talks about the challenges of providing 6 billion
gallons of jet fuel each year
24 Q&A The Fuelhandler puts your questions to the Air
Transport
Association’s chief economist John Heimlich 25 The only way is
up Rising jet fuel prices are causing the most immediate
concern
for fuel handlers, but even in a difficult climate issues
surrounding quality, security and safety cannot be sidelined
29 No mean feat As the aviation sector is pressured into
reducing carbon
emissions, it is faced with logistical challenges and capital
shortages that must be overcome if targets are to be met
32 Built for purpose Fuel storage facilities must be designed
not only for safe
operation, but also according to the specific strict quality
requirements of the aviation industry
34 Petro Expo 2011 show preview 42 Preventing a major fire
hazard The diesel trucks that are coming on the market have
new emissions requirements leading to major changes to the
engines, cooling and exhaust systems
43 Got certification? The NPMA offers a certification programme
designed to
enhance technical knowledge, safety and product quality
Issue 1 • Volume 1
May 2011
Horseshoe Media LimitedMarshall House
124 Middleton Road,Morden,
Surrey SM4 6RW, UKwww.thefuelhandler.com
AssoCIATE PUBLIshEr & EdITor
Margaret GarnTel: +44 (0)20 8687 4126
[email protected]
dEPUTy EdITorCarmen Allan
Tel: +44 (0)20 8687 [email protected]
sTAFF WrITErKeeley Downey
Tel: +44 (0)20 8687 [email protected]
INTErNATIoNAL sALEs MANAGErAnisha Patel
Tel: +44 20 8687 [email protected]
ProdUCTIoNAlison Balmer
Tel: +44 (0)1673 [email protected]
sUBsCrIPTIoN rATEs
£120/€185/$240 for 4issues per year.
Contact: Lisa LeeTel: +44 (0)20 8687 4160Fax: +44 (0)20 8687
4130
[email protected]
No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in any
form by any mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording or
other means without the prior written consent of the publisher.
Whilst the information and articles in Bioenergy Insight are
published in good faith and every effort is made to check accuracy,
readers should verify facts and statements direct with official
sources before acting on them as the publisher can accept no
responsibility in this respect. Any opinions expressed in this
magazine should not be construed as those of the publisher.
ISSN 1754-2170
Contents
INCLUdEs
PETro EXPo 2011
CATALoGUE
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XX APRIL 2011
The Fuelhandler COMMenT
Petro expo will be back next year in Florida
www.npma-fuelnet.org
Keep an eye out for further details!
2012
-
MAY 2011 3
COMMenT The Fuelhandler
Who is the Fuelhandler? The Fuelhandler is the generic name of
the person anywhere in the fuel supply chain, from ‘wellhead to
wingtip’. The analyst, accountant, programmer, manager, supervisor,
controller, transporter, and the mechanic who inspects,
troubleshoots and repairs the systems and equipment; the storage
attendant who receives, stores and issues the fuel; the laboratory
technician who samples and tests the fuel; the fuel system and
equipment operators are all fuelhandlers. Chances are if you are
reading this, you are a fuelhandler too.
This magazine aims to be a trusted and loyal partner to the
entire worldwide
aviation fuel industry. That includes the airlines, the FBOs,
the servicing companies, the oil companies, the military and the
equipment manufacturers.
The Fuelhandler magazine is published with the full support
of the National Petroleum Management Association
(NPMA). Our goal by the end of this year is to have
300 corporate members and 3,000 individual members. We are
tremendously excited and really appreciate your support.
This first issue of the Fuelhandler is
dedicated to all of you.
V/r Jack LavinJOHN F. LAVIN, CPPMPresident and CEOTHE NATIONAL
PETROLEUM MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONPhone: 703-583-1206 Fax:
703-583-1207Mobile: 703-628-9958
At long last, the Fuelhandler magazine is up and pumping. Yes,
pumping out information about all the good things you do to support
this industry
2011 is the year!
V/r Jack Lavin
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4 MAY 2011
The Fuelhandler NEWS
Northrop Grumman’s Relative Navigation system performed
accurately during its recent tests for the US Air Force Research
Laboratory’s Automated Aerial Refuelling (AAR) programme.
The tests were carried out in conjunction with the Air Force
Flight Test Center’s Test Operations Combined Test Force, the 190th
Air Refuelling Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard and
Calspan.
Northrop says the aim of the programme is to demonstrate
critical technology to enable refuelling of unmanned aircraft and
develop tools to support airworthiness certification for
integration with the existing Air Force tanker fleet.
The unmanned aircraft and modified refuelling tanker had its
global positioning
system given by its new Relative Navigation system which
provided the precise positioning information required in support of
the simulated aerial refuelling mission.
‘This flight test demonstrated that our simulation tools and
hardware-in-the-loop test environment can successfully predict and
model our Relative Navigation solution performance for the AAR
mission,’ says Charles Volk, vice president and chief technology
officer for Northrop Grumman’s Navigation Systems Division. ‘This
successful demonstration shows that our solution can be utilised
for refuelling mission planning and performance modelling for
future applications, such as a precision approach and landing,
where moving vehicles must operate cooperatively in close proximity
as well as scenarios with larger separation between vehicles.’
n
Bahrain Air is the latest airline to suffer from the rising fuel
costs and says it is reducing some scheduled flights and suspending
others to deal with the problem.
The airline says it has had a drop in the number of passengers
travelling on its aircraft and has experienced a hike in its
insurance costs, two factors which have not helped the
situation.
The company has been suffering since the middle of February 2011
and the
shaky political situation within the country has also seen a
reduction in the number of people wanting to use its services.
It says its costs have also risen by more than 35%, which
includes the increase in aviation fuel and insurance.
Bahrain Air will reduce its scheduled flights to Damascus and
Amman to a minimum and suspend all flights to Najaf, Baghdad in
Iraq, Mashhad in Iran and Beirut in Lebanon until June 20, when it
will reassess the situation.
Gulf Air also reported it has seen a drop in its passengers.
n
Northrop Grumman tests its fuelling navigation system
Bahrain Air suffers from added costs
A Learjet is used as the refueling boom of a modified refueling
tanker during a recent flight test for the US Air Force Research
Laboratory’s Automated Aerial Refueling programme
Qantas, the Australian airline, is to suspend flights, reduce
some of its services, downsize its aircraft, retire some planes and
review its management headcount in a battle to improve its
profits.
The airline says it has been severely affected by recent
national disasters in Japan, New Zealand and Australia, as well as
the rising price of jet fuel.
The company says it is in the worst situation it has been in
since the recession and that its fuel costs for the the second half
of 2011 are expected to be AUS$2 billion (€1.46 billion) alone.
As a result, Qantas has revised its predicted domestic capacity
growth for the second half of 2011, dropping it by 6% to 8% and
reducing its international capacity growth estimates in the same
period from 10% to 7%.
The drop in predicted growth is because of a number of factors,
such as the grounding of A380 Roll-Royce planes after an engine
incident; and the loss of AUS$60 million from the Queensland
floods, AUS$45 million from
the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, AUS$20 million from
cyclones and AU$15 million from the earthquake in Christchurch, New
Zealand.
Alan Joyce, Qantas CEO says: ‘We need to act decisively to
respond to rising fuel costs and natural disasters, just like we
did during the global financial crisis, to ensure the ongoing
sustainability of our business.’
Qantas will also suspend its flights for up to four weekly
return Jetstar services from Australia to Japan, as well as
suspending its services between Perth and Narita, and downsizing of
Qantas aircraft between Sydney and Narita from a Boeing 747 to an
Airbus 330.
It will also reduce its fleet with the early retirement of two
B767 aircraft and review its manpower costs which will include
initiatives to reduce management headcount and annual and long
service leave balances.
Qantas has already increased domestic airfares and international
fuel surcharges in February and March 2011 in response to rising
fuel prices. n
Qantas suffering after natural disasters and jet fuel rises
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MAY 2011 5
NEWS The Fuelhandler
World Fuel Services, a global fuel logistics company, has
acquired Ascent Aviation, a distributor of aviation fuel and
deicing fluids.
Ascent, based in Parish, New York, US, supplies aviation fuel
and deicing fluid to more than 450 airports and fixed base
operators throughout North America. Ascent is a national branded
reseller of aviation fuel for ConocoPhillips
and is the exclusive third-party distributor of deicing fluids
for Dow Chemical in the United States.
‘The acquisition of Ascent further strengthens our platform in
the general aviation fuel distribution business and expands our
product offering,’ says Michael Kasbar, president and CEO of World
Fuel Services. ‘We are pleased to welcome Ascent to the World Fuel
organisation and are looking forward to working with their talented
team.’ n
Aside from natural disasters, cyber terrorism is the number one
worry facing airlines today, security workers reported at an
Asia-Pacific Aviation Security conference.
A hacking programme that can make a passenger jet nosedive and
crash or let go of all its fuel is one type of software that has
been created to threaten peoples’ lives.
The Stuxnet virus has made the threat of cyber terrorism
a reality and last year the programme was used to attack a
uranium plant in Iran.
The virus caused the internal computer network systems within
the nuclear plant to go offline, something speakers at the
conference say could happen to a plane in the sky.
Not only this, but it could happen to a number of planes at the
same time, not simply one aircraft.
However, the chance of an attack like this was low because it is
a complicated mission to carry out and would be expensive to
implement. n
World Fuel Services acquires Ascent Aviation
Cyber terrorism threat a reality in aviation industry
Plans for a new fuel infrastructure system at Frederic Chopin
Airport in Warsaw, Poland, have been opposed by the country’s
deputy chairman of the parliamentary Economic Committee.
Antoni Mężydło says the cost of the investment, which would be
zl.213 million (€54 million) over four years, is too high.
Polish Airports State Enterprise (PPL) wants to install its fuel
system which would allow petrol to be transported directly to the
aircraft. At the moment the fuel has to be delivered via
tankers.
However, Mężydło claims this fuel method is adequate and
that an upgrade is not needed.The money for the proposed
infrastructure is part of the zl1.2 billion earmarked for a
large development at the airport but Mężydło claims too much money
is being spent. He believes less funds should be put towards the
project because the airport’s predicted growth is only estimated to
be a ‘relatively small’ two million over the coming five years.
The politician added that if the development was to go ahead it
would raise flight prices.
However, PPL argues that with new suppliers coming into the
airport and other companies tendering for jobs, the price of plane
fares could actually decrease. n
Fuel plans for Polish airport face opposition
Fredric-Chopin Airport in Warsaw, Poland, is considering the
installation of a new fuel infrastructure system
NASA tested an autonomous aerial refuelling between two
unmanned, high altitude aircraft recently, a procedure that had
never before been attempted.
Northrop Grumman worked with NASA on the attempt, using its
Proteus test aircraft and a NASA Global Hawk, which
flew as close as 12m apart and at a height of more than
13,700m.
The companies say it was a challenge to refuel the aircraft
because of the high altitude and the wake turbulence. The planes
also practised simulated breakaway manoeuvres, in a preparation
attempt for autonomous aerial refuelling of two Global Hawks in Q2
2012, as part of the same programme.
In total the programme is to cost $33 million (€23.85
million)
and if successful will enable flights to continue flying for up
to one week in duration.
‘Demonstrating close formation flight of two high altitude
aircraft, whether manned or unmanned, is a notable accomplishment,’
says Geoffrey Sommer, KQ-X programme manager at Northrop Grumman
Aerospace Systems sector. ‘When you add autonomous flight of both
aircraft into the mix, as we will
do later in the KQ-X programme, you gain a capability that has
mission applications far beyond just aerial refuelling.’
KQ-X follows a programme in 2006, DARPA Autonomous Aerial
Refueling Demonstration, which was a joint effort with NASA Dryden.
This programme used an F-18 fighter jet as a surrogate unmanned
aircraft to autonomously refuel through a probe and drogue from a
707 tanker. n
NASA tests unmanned refuelling at 13,700m
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The Fuelhandler NEWS
6 MAY 2011
The Airbus Military A330 MRTT has successfully passed fuel to
another aircraft in flight using the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU)
for the first time, which means all of the aircraft´s refuelling
systems have now been tested.
In a three hour and 10 minute test from Getafe near Madrid,
Spain, the Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) variant for
the UK Royal Air Force made ‘wet contact’ with two F-18 fighters of
the Spanish Air Force.
The mid-air refuelling happened at more than 4,500m and at
speeds ranging between 250kt and 325kt.
The FRU is a hose and drogue, a funnel-shaped device towed
behind an aircraft as a target, similar to those fitted under
the wings but with a higher rate of fuel transfer. It is being
developed and supplied by UK-based company Cobham.
Head of Airbus Military Derivatives Antonio Caramazana says:
‘This demonstration of the last of the A330 MRTT´s refuelling
systems clearly positions it as the most capable, flexible and
proven transport and tanker available to the world´s air forces
today.’
The Airbus Military A330 has a fuel storage capacity of 111
tonnes and can conduct air-to-air refuelling without using an
additional tank.
The plane can also carry 300 troops or 130 medical stretchers
and 28 of the planes have been ordered by Australia, Saudi Arabia,
the United Arab Emirates and the UK. n
Brazil’s antitrust agency, Cade, says Shell needs sell off its
aviation fuel assets at major airports throughout the country.
Shell purchased the assets from Cosan, a local sugar and ethanol
company, two years ago for $75 million (€55 million) but now is
being forced to rid itself of the facilities located in Sao Paulo,
Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco.
Cade says Shell will have
to sell the parks supply held by Cosan at airports in the
Pampulha (Belo Horizonte), Viracopos (Campinas), Curitiba and
Brasilia.
However, Shell does not want to sell off its assets and is
attempting to stop the decision through the courts.
By majority vote, Cade says its council said maintenance of
these assets in the possession of Shell would cause an excess of
market concentration in the water supply sector of aviation fuel.
n
Airbus Military demonstrates final A330 MRTT refuelling
system
Cade forcing Shell to sell assets
easyJet is to test-run nanotechnology paint in an attempt to
reduce fuel usage. The paint reduces the amount of debris that
sticks to the side of the aircraft, reducing the drag of the plane
in the sky.
The ultra-thin coating, which is already used by US military
aircraft, adds only 4oz to the weight of the plane and should
reduce easyJet’s fuel consumption by an estimated 1-2%.
The aviation company will trial the paint for a year on eight of
its aircraft.
The nanotechnology paint is being applied and distributed by
UK-based company TripleO. The product
is a polymer which contains acrylic elements which fill into the
‘pores’ of the plane with a resin-type substance, giving it a
smooth finish on its surface.
Carolyn McCall, easyJet’s CEO, says: ‘If we can find new ways of
reducing the amount of fuel used by our aircraft we can pass the
benefits onto our passengers by offering them low fares and a lower
carbon footprint.’
She continues: ‘All airlines should be incentivised to reduce
the environmental impact of their operations which is why we
welcome the government’s commitment to move from APD to a fairer,
greener per plane tax.’
easyJet says the average passenger on its planes users 22% fewer
emissions than a customer on a ‘traditional’ airline when flying
the same route in a similar style of plane. n
easyJet uses nano paint to reduce fuel usage
Boeing successfully tested its longest passenger plane in its
history, the 747-8 Intercontinental jumbo jet, in Paine Field,
Everett, Washington, US, in March 2011.
The airplane flew for four hours and 25 minutes to Boeing Field
in Seattle, US, and the event marked the beginning of a flight test
programme that will finish in Q4 2011.
For the remaining testing, the
plane will fly for more than 600 hours and its basic handling
and performance will be examined. During the first test run, the
plane reached an altitude of 5,791m and speeds of up to 463km an
hour.
Boeing says its 747-8 Intercontinental will have the lowest
seat-mile cost of any large commercial jetliner, with 12% lower
costs than its predecessor, the 747-400. The airplane provides 16%
better fuel economy, 16% less carbon emissions per passenger and
generates a 30% smaller noise footprint than the 747-400. n
Boeing successfully flies longest passenger plane in its
history
Boeing staff test the new 747-8 Intercontinental
-
NEWS The Fuelhandler
MAY 2011 7
Interjet and Airbus tested their first Jatropha-based biofuel
flight in Mexico on 1 April 2011, using an Airbus A320
aircraft.
The biofuel comes from the local region’s jatropha plant which
is harvested in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico.
The two companies say the main aim of the demonstration flight
and the project was to speed up the commercialisation of aviation
biofuel in the country.
The A320 flight left from Mexico City’s International Airport
and flew to Angel Albino Corzo of Tuxtla Gutierrez airport in the
southern State of Chiapas, with one of the two CFM engines using
30% biofuel.
Miguel Aleman, Interjet president says: ‘The test flight is the
realisation of a two year ambition for Interjet to develop a
production chain for renewable biofuel, with the purpose of
creating a Mexican platform for sustainable aviation
bio-kerosene.’
Paul Nash, Airbus head of new energies adds: ‘This flight serves
as evidence that our sector is serious about its commitment to
achieve carbon neutral growth by 2020, and a 50% reduction in CO2
emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.’
CO2 lifecycle studies show jatropha can reduce the overall CO2
footprint by up to 80% compared to standard aviation kerosene.
Those supporting the project include Mexico’s Secretariat of
Communications and Transportation, Airports and Auxiliary Services,
the State of Chiapas, the European Aviation Safety Agency, CFM and
Airbus. The jatropha biofuel was processed by Honeywell’s UOP.
n
Interjet and Airbus test first biofuel flight in Mexico
[email protected] technical literature:
www.fuelex.net
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Measurements correlated to
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Suitable for use in the field or laboratory
Bruker FUELexPortable Fuel Analyzer
Jet and Diesel Fuel Analysis Made Easy!
Innovation with Integrity
NASA has tested a type of biofuel on a NASA DC-8 to measure its
performance and emissions as part of the Alternative Aviation Fuel
Experiment II (AAFEX II).
The hydrotreated renewable jet fuel is made from chicken fat and
is an eco-friendly way to travel.
‘The Air Force bought many thousands of gallons of this to burn
in some of their jets and provided about 30,283 litres to NASA for
this experiment,’ Bruce Anderson, AAFEX II project scientist
says.
Anderson and his team are also to test a 50-50 mix of biofuel
and regular jet fuel, biofuel only, and jet fuel only. The jet fuel
is Jet Propellant 8, or JP-8, a kerosene-like mix of
hydrocarbons.
More than 15 companies are participating in the project,
including federal
organisations and academia.Anderson admits the task
will not be easy: ‘This is going to be a lot of hard work.’
‘AAFEX II will provide essential gaseous and particulate
emissions data as well as engine and aircraft systems performance
data from operation of the DC-8 on a fuel produced from a renewable
resource,’ says Glenn’s Dan Bulzan, who leads clean energy and
emissions research in NASA’s Subsonic Fixed Wing Project.
‘NASA Dryden is excited to continue contributing to the study of
alternative fuels for aviation use,’ adds Frank Cutler, NASA’s DC-8
flying laboratory project manager. ‘These tests will assess exhaust
emissions generated by modern turbine aircraft engines using
man-made fuels.’
In 2009, researchers in the AAFEX I project tested two synthetic
fuels derived from petroleum-based coal and natural gas. n
NASA tests chicken fat aviation fuel
-
The Fuelhandler NEWS
8 MAY 2011
Airports Authority of India is upgrading its fire-fighting
infrastructure to modernise and expand the airport facility in
Chennai.
The new extension would mean the airport would have more crash
fire engines and other fire-fighting tools, such as chemicals to
create foam and better water storage facilities.
The upgrade will also see a rise in the number of people on hand
to deal with an emergency involving large planes.
It would also improve the airports fire-fighting rating to a
category 10. Currently, larger
planes are only able to land at airports that feature a
fire-fighting category of nine or 10.
Once the upgrade is complete, A380 airplanes will be able to
land at the airport. Only two of India’s airports, Delhi and
Mumbai, can currently hold planes of this size.
The new fire station is expected to cost Rs.12 million Crores
(€2 million) to build and will feature an underground storage tank
that will hold more than 400,000 litres of water. The airport
currently only stores just over 50,000 litres of water.
The extension will also see an increase in the amount of dry
chemical powder that is stored at the airport, which is just over
4,000kg at present. n
A new report has shown state-run oil companies in India have
raised their jet fuel price by 3.4% because of the rise in crude
oil costs.
A PTI report says Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum
Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation hiked up their prices
to Rs54,933 (€884) per kilolitre,
by more than up Rs1,800 on last month’s figures.
Since October 2010, India has increased its jet fuel prices 10
times because of rising crude oil prices. Back then the price of
jet fuel was only Rs40,728 per kilolitre.
The three companies revise their prices on the 1st and 16th of
each month and say they are just trying to keep up with global oil
prices, even though the fuel makes up 40% of an airline’s operating
costs. n
Fire-fighting facility at Indian airport to be upgraded
India hikes up the cost of jet fuel
The Airbus Military has conducted an initial test on its
air-to-air refuelling systems for its A400M airlifter using a
Vickers VC10 tanker which is owned by the UK Royal Air Force
(RAF).
The tests were carried out in Toulouse, France, with a A400M
development aircraft Grizzly 1 making a number of dry contacts with
the VC10’s fuselage-mounted hose drum unit. Airbus Military says
the RAF is one of its launch customers for its A400M aircraft.
The first day of the trials
were on February 15 and follows the Grizzly 2 aircraft being
tested for cold weather trials at the beginning of this month in
Sweden.
The tests in temperatures of -21°C were to see whether the
aircraft, including its fuelling systems, could withstand the harsh
conditions. The tests were successful.
The trial followed former tests carried out in Hamburg, Germany,
in December 2010 and more trials will be completed when other
extreme weather trials in Kiruna, Sweden, are carried out in the
coming months and during 2012. n
Airbus Military conducts refuelling test with RAF
The Airbus Military recently tested its air-to-air refuelling
systems
BBA Aviation, an aviation support and aftermarket services
provider, has acquired its legacy support business, GE Aviation,
for $62.5 million (€45.2 million).
GE was formerly part of the aftermarket services and systems
division and in addition to the purchase, BBA will also invest a
further $7 million into working capital and fixed assets.
GE sells and overhauls fuel gauging and measurement systems in
the defence and
commercial airframe market.The company currently
has more than 6,200 active aircraft such as the A319/320, B777,
Eurofighter Typhoon, AW101 and Hawk2.
With the acquisition, BBA says it will be able to expand into
markets outside of the US and specialise in third generation
electronics.
GE had an EBITDA of about $9 million in 2010 and revenues of $43
million, as well as gross assets of $8.4 million. It is based in
the UK, US and Singapore, although these facilities will be moved
to nearby BBA sites. n
BBA Aviation acquires GE Aviation
A Qantas plane was forced to make a ‘priority landing’ after a
problem with its fuel system on 13 April.
The Boeing 737 landed safely in Sydney after it took off to fly
to Auckland, New Zealand. The company says there was a ‘fuel system
fault’ and that the fuel transfer valve would be replaced, AFP
reported.
This is not the first time
Qantas has had problems with it planes. Last month it had to
make an emergency landing in Adelaide after smoke filled the cabin
from a malfunctioning oven.
This followed a cockpit fire after an electrical fault damaged
the Qantas Airbus A330-200 on route to Manila from Sydney.
In November 2010, an engine exploded in an Airbus A380 on the
way to Singapore, damaging the plane. n
Qantas lands plane following fuel system problem
-
NEWS The Fuelhandler
MAY 2011 9
Boeing has won a competitive contract from the US Air Force to
build its refuelling tankers, replacing 179 of its existing 400
KC-135 planes.
EADS, which was bidding against Boeing for the contract, says it
is disappointed with the decision and is holding talks with the Air
Force to better understand why it chose Boeing over them.
Boeing’s contract involves designing, developing, manufacturing
and delivering 18 initial combat-ready tankers by 2017.
Boeing says it was chosen because it met all the requirements
and was the ‘lowest risk for the warfighter and the best value for
taxpayers’.
However, EADS says its planes were ‘proven and had more capable
KC-45 (than Boeing’s) for the US´ next aerial refuelling tanker’,
although says it will not contest the decision.
EADS has admitted that Boeing ran the competition fairly along
the rule guidelines set out in its request for proposal.
However, the company says its bid was ‘substantially lower
than what it submitted in the last competition’ and it had tried
to present a ‘sound business case’ with ‘reasonable return’.
‘While we are obviously disappointed that our men and women in
uniform are not getting the most capable tanker available, we will
not take any action that could further delay the already overdue
replacement of the Air Force’s aging tanker fleet,’ says EADS
chairman Ralph Crosby Jr.
He adds that if Boeing cannot complete the project then EADS
would be happy to takeover and says the Air Force also said its
tankers were judged to be superior in capability to the Boeing
offering as measured by the service’s fleet effectiveness
rating.
‘Now our focus is on future opportunities and our continued
growth. This experience has strengthened our position in the U.S.
marketplace,’ EADS North America CEO Sean O’Keefe says.
The new Boeing KC-46A tankers are expected to support about
50,000 total US jobs with
Boeing and more than 800 suppliers in over 40 states.
The tankers will be based on the Boeing 767 commercial airplane
and will be a wide-body, multi-mission aircraft featuring new
technology. They will be able to transport fuel, cargo, passengers
and patients.
The technology design includes a digital flight deck featuring
Boeing 787 Dreamliner electronic displays and a flight control
design philosophy that places aircrews in command rather than
allowing computer software to limit combat maneuverability.
The NewGen Tanker also features an advanced KC-10 boom with an
expanded refuelling envelope, increased fuel offload rate and
fly-by-wire control system.
Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes
says: ‘Boeing has always been committed to the integrity of the
competitive process, and the men and women across our Boeing
commercial and defense teams and our entire supplier network are
ready to extend that commitment to delivering these tankers on time
and on budget.’ n
Boeing chosen for US Air Force tanker project over EADS
Boeing was awarded a lucrative US Air Force contract over
EADS
A US air force test pilot successfully flew an A-10 Thunderbolt
II jet aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base on 25 March 2011, testing a
blend of biomass-derived and conventional JP-8 jet fuel.
It was the first time such a flight had been carried out using
this specific jet fuel blend.
The biomass fuel was created from camelina oil, and the fuel is
called hydro-treated renewable jet fuel, or HRJ.
The test was part of the Air Force’s alternative aviation fuel
programme, which has the aim of introducing HRJ onto its F-15
Eagle, F-22 Raptor and C-17 Globemaster III planes.
The scheme is also part of the Air Force’s 2010 Energy Plan goal
to be prepared to cost-competitively acquire 50% of domestic
aviation fuel from an alternative fuel blend by 2016.
‘The Air Force recognises its role as a leader in energy
management,’ says Terry Yonkers, assistant secretary of the Air
Force for installations, environment and logistics. ‘This
demonstration underscores our commitment to advancing technologies
that increase our use of renewable energy and reduce our
consumption of imported foreign oil.’ n
Biomass-derived fuel tested on US air force plane
The A-10 Thunderbolt II was tested with biomass-derived fuel
-
The Fuelhandler NEWS
10 MAY 2011
NetJets, a private aviation company, has purchased 120 new
Bombardier Global aircraft for $6.7 billion (€4.8 billion).
NetJets says it may also purchase an additional 70 Global
aircraft in the future.
The current order includes 30 Global 5000 Vision and Global
Express XRS Vision aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in
Q4 2012.
NetJets has also ordered 20 of Bombardier’s Global 7000 and
Global 8000 jets, with deliveries due to start in 2017.
All the planes will have
cabin technologies designed specifically for the NetJet owners
who say this is the biggest purchase in the history of private
aviation.
NetJet says it is expanding its fleet over this year and the
coming decade. The company’s chairman and CEO says: ‘We are taking
advantage of the current lull in the private aviation market to
position the NetJets’ fleet for the future. Although we anticipate
2011 to be another difficult year, when Bombardier begins to make
deliveries of these aircraft, we will be ready to satisfy the
market’s demand.’ n
Vancouver’s Environmental Assessment Office is studying an
application submitted from the city’s airport about a new fuel
delivery project.
The proposal, which is open for a 45-day public comment period,
suggests building a fuel facility near the marine
terminal and constructing a pipeline from the facility to the
airport to transport the fuel.
If the development goes ahead, the storage terminal will feature
six steel storage tanks with a total capacity of 80 million litres,
with additional space available for further expansions.
If the proposed plans come to fruition, a port would be
constructed on the Fraser River,
15km upstream from the mouth, which would hold barges and
tankers delivering the fuel.
The pipeline, if built, would be 15km long, 300mm in diameter
and buried 2.5m underground.
The project was first shown to the Delta council in 2009 because
the developers believe a new delivery system is needed as the
airport cannot keep up with current and future fuel demands.
At present, most of the fuel transported to the airport comes
via a 40-year-old pipeline from a Burnaby refinery which equates to
at least 25 truck deliveries a day through Delta, if not more.
However, the project has faced opposition from environmental
groups such as Surrey’s United Naturists, who say the project has
environmental risks. n
NetJets places $6.7 billion plane order
Vancouver Airport proposes plans for new fuel pipeline and
storage
The Hong Kong International Airport is to be extended, with
proposed plans for a third runway at the site, the CEO of the
International Air Transport Association (IATA) says.
As part of the plans, Hong Kong also wants to improve its fuel
efficiency by 1.5% a year until 2020, capping its emissions by
then, with carbon-neutral growth.
It also wants to cut its net emissions in half by 2050 compared
to 2005 levels and plans to do this by shortening
routes and implementing new fuel management practises to save
more than 76 million tonnes of carbon.
The city plans to use biofuels to do this, reducing its carbon
footprint by 80% and plans to test the technology further in the
upcoming months, with the aim of commercialising the
technology.
Giovanni Bisignani, director general and CEO of the IATA,
criticised the oil industry’s support so far and urged them to do
more.
He says: ‘The support from the oil companies has been
disappointing, to be polite. They will cash HK$13.7 billion
(€1.29 billion) in refinery margins on jet fuel this year and
their commitment to biofuels is peanuts. Governments need to set a
fiscal and legal framework to support growth in the biofuel
industry and ensure that aviation will have access to adequate
supply.’
He says Air China plans to fly a Boeing 747-400 trans-Pacific
with jatropha-based fuel supplied by Petro China and that the
country has invested more than HK$30 billion in clean energy
projects, double what was invested in the US, showing its
dedication.
He says: ‘Given China's size and spectacular growth,
with focused policy decisions, it could easily emerge as a
leader for aviation biofuels.’
He says HK$900 million was being invested in a new midfield
terminal and taxiway project at the airport and urged for proposed
plans for a third runway to come to fruition.
He says: ‘Increasing the cap on movements from 60 to 68 as
suggested by the Civil Aviation Department might get the airport
above 55 million passengers. Squeezing more numbers with larger
aircraft worked for Kai Tak because it was a destination airport.
With today's hub operations, we cannot expect the same.’ n
Hong Kong Airport plans expansion
BioJet International, a supply chain integrator in renewable jet
fuel and related co-products for the aviation and transportation
sectors, has received a $1.2 billion (€880 million) funding
facility from Cayman-based Equity Partners Fund SPC. The funding
structure is a three-year facility and will allow BioJet a
significant source of capital for its supply chain capital projects
programme, including feedstock and refining projects, as well as
investment and strategic acquisitions.
‘This funding agreement with Equity Partners will form the
cornerstone of BioJet capital projects and accretive EBIDTA
positive acquisitions over the next five years,’ comments BioJet’s
chairman Mitch Hawkins.
‘It enables a clear path to the expansion of our camelina,
jatropha, and algae feedstock projects, as well as our Avia
renewable jet refining projects in Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
We will also be seeking acquisitions of listed companies which can
add value geographically and strategically.’ n
$1.2b funding facility for BioJet
-
MAY 2011 11
Shell sold its 270,000 barrel-a-day Stanlow refinery to Essar
Oil for $1.3 billion (€921 million), it was confirmed on 30 March
2011.
Essar made the offer for the refinery in February 2011 and the
acquisition includes all oil products, chemicals manufacturing,
terminal assets and the commercial bulk fuels and local marine
businesses relating to the refinery. The Stanlow refinery is the
country’s second biggest and produces about 3.5 billion litres of
petrol a year, for both cars and aeroplanes, as well as other
transport.
However, the purchase does not include any of Shell’s retail
outlets, higher olefins plant and alcohol units, the lubricant oils
blending plant, lubricants marketing business, Shell aviation
operations at airports, non-local marine business, marine
lubricants, commercial road transport marketing businesses, bitumen
marketing business or the Shell technology centre at Thornton.
The acquisition is
expected to be finalised by the second half of 2011.
Shell’s downstream director Mark Williams says: ‘The decision to
sell Stanlow is part of our drive to concentrate our global
manufacturing portfolio on larger assets and, on completion, means
we will have reduced our global refining exposure through a
combination of asset sales and closures by a total of 1.6 million
barrels since 2002.’
‘This deal serves Stanlow’s future well given Essar’s commitment
to investment and intent to increase site throughputs,’ says Frank
Willsdon, Stanlow general manager. ‘It can only benefit staff,
business partners and the local community and region. After our
many years with Shell, we now look forward to a smooth transition
and moving forward with Essar.’
Following the sale, the two businesses will sign a five year
crude supply contract from Shell to Essar and a long-term agreement
for the supply of products in the UK from Essar to Shell. n
The British Army has opened a new air tanker facility at its RAF
Brize Norton base in England.
The site, which is a two-bay hangar and support building, will
be the main operating base for Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
(FSTA) and will feature maintenance facilities, a flight operations
centre and FSTA office headquarters.
AirTanker was set up in 2008 to deliver the FSTA programme to
the Ministry of Defence over 27 years and will provide the RAF with
14 new, specially converted aircraft based on the
commercial A330-200 airliner, which will be stored on the
site.
The building will be able to receive the RAF’s new fleet of
Airbus Trooping and Refuelling Aircraft which are due to come into
operation in October 2011.
The aircrafts are replacing the RAF’s existing VC10 and Tristar
fleets at RAF Brize Norton.
The army says that one of the main advantages of the new plane
is that it can transport passengers and cargo whilst carrying out
air-to-air refuelling.
On an average trip across the Atlantic it will be capable of
refuelling four Tornados. n
Shell sells Stanlow refinery to Essar Oil for $1.3 billion
RAF opening new refuelling aircraft facility
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-
The Fuelhandler NEWS
12 MAY 2011
Fuel services at V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua were
disrupted on 8 March 2011 because Chevron fuel attendants took
strike action to push the company for severance payments.
Many of the employees called in sick because the Antigua and
Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU), their representative, did not come to
an agreement with the company on a number of issues.
Due to the strike action, no airlines flying in and out of
Antigua were able to refuel.In 2010, Chevron said it was
selling off a large number of its fuel marketing and aviation
businesses in the Caribbean to a French company.
Although the company’s Jamaican assets were not included in the
selloff, Chevron has not ruled out any offers.
The ABWU’s strike action comes after it threatened industrial
action if Chevron employees did not receive severance pay by the
beginning of February 2011.
Although airlines were impacted by the strike, no flight
cancellations were made. n
Air China has bought five 747-8 intercontinental jetliners from
Boeing for an undisclosed sum.
It is the first Chinese carrier to purchase the passenger
version of the new planes, which are ‘fuel-efficient’ Boeing
says.
Air China says it will use the new planes to expand its
international routes.
The planes can carry 467 passengers each in a three-class
configuration. The aircraft features a new wing design and
flight deck and was built with interior features from the 787
Dreamliner plane model, which has ‘curved, upswept architecture
that will give passengers a greater sense of space and
comfort’.
The aircraft uses GEnx-2B engines which are ‘quieter, produce
lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy’. There is also 26%
more cargo space storage on board the planes. n
Strike affects fuel services at airport
Air China purchases Boeing planes
Boeing is supplying Air China with new planes
News in brief
CNAF anticipates fuel rise China National Aviation Fuel (CNAF)
says it plans to achieve sales of RMB350 billion (€39 billion) a
year by 2015.
The company, which is a state-owned air transportation logistics
service provider, says it believes its jet fuel sales will hit 50
million tonnes within the next four years.
CNAF forecasted its gross assets to be worth about RMB80 billion
and says its oil sales rose in 2010 by 37% to more than 28 million
tonnes.
In 2008, CNAF’s assets were only worth RMB26.3 billion, showing
a significant rise in the past couple of years. The organisation
was established less than 10 years ago.
Airlines raise prices due to Libyan oil shortage Airlines have
been raising their fuel prices following a shortage in supply due
to the events happening in Libya.
Southwest Airlines has increased its fares on many of its routes
by $10 (€7.20) for a return journey and other airlines, such as
AMR’s American, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue have also pushed up
ticket costs.
State-run oil companies in India have increased their jet fuel
costs by 3.4% because of the rise in crude oil prices and this
expense could also be passed on to the country’s airlines.
Ross Aviation has acquired the assets and the leasehold of the
fixed-based operations (FBO) formerly operated by Atlantic Aviation
at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, California,
US.
The FBO will consolidate into the Ross Aviation’s existing
on-field operation, Corporate Aircraft.
With this acquisition, Corporate Aircraft now has more than
76,200m² of hangar
and 16,764m² of office space.Ross Aviation’s CEO Jeff
Ross says: ‘We are excited about increasing our capacity at
Corporate Aircraft, which has been the premier FBO at Fresno
Yosemite International Airport for more than two decades.’
He continued: ‘With the additional ramp and hangar space we are
able to accommodate local demand and the relocation of aircraft
from more congested and expensive FBOs and airports in the region.
Furthermore, we now have the capacity to expand our aircraft
maintenance operation.’ n
Ross Aviation acquires Atlantic Aviation’s FBO
-
NEWS The Fuelhandler
MAY 2011 13
The new international airport in Sri Lanka is to expand its
initial fuelling capacity to 3 million litres.
The airport, which is being built in the south of the country,
will have its fuelling services designed and funded
by Ceylon Petroleum, a refiner owned by the state.
The Maththala International Airport is being built by Chinese
contractors with help from an Ex-Im Bank loan.
Originally the fuelling capacity was only meant to be 1 million
litres but officials say this would not be enough to
support the airport’s facilities.The first phase of
construction
at the airport is due for completion by 2012. The airport will
feature a runway that is 3,500m long and 75m wide and will have the
capability to handle large aircraft. The terminal will be able to
deal with 1 million passengers a year to begin with.
The cost of construction is expected to be $190 million (€135.5
million) and will include a fuel rescue and fire rescue unit and
create about 11,500 jobs.
The government says it wants to use the airport as a regional
cargo hub as well as for holidaymakers. n
Lufthansa, the international airline, is using a bio-synthetic
kerosene fuel from April 2011.
The fuel will be trialled for six months on the Airbus A321
during commercial flights from Hamburg to Frankfurt and back.
The engines will use the 50-50 biofuel and kerosene mix and
researchers will study the effect of the fuel on engine maintenance
and equipment life.
It is estimated that during the trial, Lufthansa will save
about
1,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions.The project is called burnFAIR and
is
part of an overall FAIR (Future Aircraft Research) initiative in
which new engines, aircraft and other fuels, such as liquefied
natural gas, are tested. For the Lufthansa testing, €2.5 million
has been committed.
Lufthansa says it is the world’s first airline to test the fuel
and Johann-Dietrich Wörner, chairman of the executive board of the
German Aerospace Center says: ‘Our burnFAIR project is designed to
research the long-term alternatives to conventional aviation jet
fuel. The object
is to gather data on pollutants from biofuel in comparison with
conventional kerosene over a longer period.’
He continues: ‘The measured pollution pattern related to diverse
stresses in flight and the composition of the exhaust gases will
allow us not only to draw conclusions about the compatibility of
biofuel but also about the maintenance needs of aircraft engines.
Since, above all, we expect a significant reduction in soot
particles.’
The fuel producer is Neste Oil, a fuel refining and marketing
company from Finland. n
New Sri Lankan airport increases fuel capacity
Lufthansa to test bio-synthetic kerosene fuel
The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT built for the Royal Saudi
Air Force has completed its debut flight after flying for just over
four hours.
The company says the plane’s two General Electric CF6 engines
performed perfectly and that the aircraft is now in its final
certification and qualification phase which will lead to
delivery
scheduled for the end of 2011.Previously Airbus Military has
built the three of same aircraft for the Royal Australian Air
Force and two for the UK Royal Air Force.
The plane received its supplemental certificate from the
European civil certification authority EASA in March 2010 and
Airbus Military says it is the only new generation strategic tanker
and transport aircraft flying today. n
The Kansas Air National Guard has tested its refuelling tanker
with a new missile defense system via a number of different
operations.
The KC-135 Stratotanker was tested on the Ramstein Air Force
Base in Germany following months of work with the 190th Air
Refuelling Wing, including four flights into Afghanistan.
The new system is able to detect and employ countermeasures
against infrared air missiles and can provide 360˚ protection by
jamming the missile’s guidance system through the use of a laser
beam.
The new system is contained in a pod that is attached underneath
the tanker’s fuselage. The equipment can be removed and mounted
onto other crafts within minutes, allowing for flexibility and cost
savings.
Keith Lang, commander of the 190th Air Refueling Wing says:
‘Anti-missile technology is long overdue on the KC-135. The
Stratotanker has flown in harm’s way since Vietnam and the time is
right to add this extremely important defensive capability.’ n
Airbus Military plane for Saudi Air Force completes first
flight
Kansas Air National Guard tests new missile defense on
refuelling tanker
The Airbus Military A330 MRTT which has been built for the Saudi
Air Force
-
The Fuelhandler NEWS
14 MAY 2011
Lufthansa is to purchase 30 new Airbus neo planes for its
passenger flights and five Boeing 777 freighters for its business
segment.
The planes are being bought following the airline’s recently
announced profits for 2010, which showed the company made revenues
of €27.3 billion, up from €22.3 billion the previous year.
Lufthansa says the new aircraft will have better fuel efficiency
and lower operating costs, as well as noise levels and emissions,
in comparison
to the company’s older planes.The purchase is part of
the airlines expansion and modernisation plans and the order
will include 25 A320neo planes and five A321neo aircraft which have
been designed for use in continental Europe.
The planes are expected to be delivered by 2016 and will burn
15% less fuel than the models the airline currently uses, making
10-15% less noise than current limits.
The Boeing 777 freighters are expected to be ready in 2013 and
the entire price for the purchase is about $4 billion (€2.84
billion). n
Cathay Pacific is to invest in modernising its fleet of
airplanes by adding a further 27 aircraft to its supply.
The airline is to purchase 15 more Airbus A330-300s, two Airbus
A350-900s and 10 Boeing 777-300ERs for a total price of HK$51
billion (€4.6 billion).
The new aircraft are expected to be delivered before the end of
2015 although the airline plans to order a total of 91 new planes
by 2019.
Cathay Pacific is also investing HK$5.5 billion in the Cathay
Pacific Cargo Terminal
now being built at Hong Kong International Airport, and another
HK$1 billion in new products and services, including a new Business
Class seat, from now until the end of 2020.
‘Our plan is to retire our 21 Boeing 747-400 and 11 Airbus
A340-300 aircraft before the end of the decade as we take delivery
progressively of new generation aircraft that will provide much
greater fuel and operating cost efficiencies. This is important
both for environmental reasons and from a financial perspective as
fuel remains our greatest single cost,’ says Cathay Pacific CEO,
Tony Tyler. n
Lufthansa purchases 35 new planes
Cathay Pacific investing HK$51bn into new planes
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says some key
jet fuel infrastructure facilities in Japan have been damaged in
the tsunami and earthquake and as a result supplies are low.
The IATA has been coordinating with airlines to make the most of
the existing fuel supplies and creating voluntary tinkering of jet
fuel. The organisation is also briefing airlines and
officials on industry agreed rationing regimes should supply
shortages if they arise.
The IATA says it is too early to assess the long-term impact of
the Japanese tragedy on the global air transport industry but it
predicts there will be a major slowdown in Japanese air travel in
the short-term.
‘Japan is an important link in global air transport. The $62.5
billion Japanese aviation market represents 6.5% of worldwide
scheduled traffic and 10% of the industry’s revenues. A major
slowdown in Japan is
expected in the short-term. And the fortunes of the industry
will likely not improve until the effect of a reconstruction
rebound is felt in the second half of the year,’ says Giovanni
Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO.
However, major organisations, such as the World Health
Organisation and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) say
there are no restrictions to normal air transport operations at
Japan’s major airports, including both Haneda and Narita. n
IATA says Japan jet fuel supplies running low
Avalon Airport is to build a fuel pipeline to help deliver
aviation fuel in a deal with Shell Geelong Refinery.
At the end of 2011, Premier of Victoria Ted Baillieu proposed
the pipeline as part of an AUS$50 million (€37 million) first term
investment which also included plans for a rail transport
network.
The plans have now been approved and construction is due to
begin at the end of 2011. Avalon Airport CEO, Justin Giddings says
the pipeline would be just over 1km long.
He says the airport was tying itself to Shell in order to
improve but that Shell wanted to help the airport to expand.
To start with, 50 million litres of fuel a year would be
delivered but Avalon says it is hoping this figure would
grow.
The pipeline has its benefits, saving 10 cents a litre on
delivery costs on fuel from Melbourne which could also help to cut
AUS$17 off the price of an international plane ticket.
Currently fuel to the airport is delivered from Melbourne by
trucks.
‘As the lowest cost airport in Australia, we want to ensure we
don’t lose our competitive advantage. This announcement solves two
issues – improved accessibility and lower prices for travellers and
lower fuel costs for carriers,’ Giddings says.
Avalon Airport is currently home to low cost airlines Jetstar
and Tiger Airways, Qantas’ Boeing 747 and heavy maintenance and
engineering facilities. n
The Ghana Oil Company has branched into the aviation fuel sector
within the nation and now controls about 30% of the country’s
production.
It is the first company from the Ghana that is to work within
the sector, which was previously dominated by multi-national
companies following
the acquisition of Joint User Hydrant Installation at the Kotoka
International Airport.
The company says it has specially trained its staff to deal with
the ‘sensitive and technical issues within the industry’.
Ghana Oil Company has entered into a strategic partnership with
the Ghana Air Force to put up a facility at the Takoradi Air Force
base to provide aviation fuel to aircraft operation in the area.
n
Avalon Airport to build aviation fuel pipeline with Shell
Ghana Oil Company branches into aviation fuel
-
NEWS The Fuelhandler
MAY 2011 15
Lockheed Martin has revealed its first aircraft that is part of
a new fleet of MC-130J Combat Shadow IIs for the US Air Force’s
Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
Lockheed Martin won a contract to build 15 MC-130Js, replacing
the older existing fleet.
The US Air Force will buy up to 20 MC-130Js against an approved
requirement for 37 aircraft.
The new plane is modelled on a KC-130J tanker baseline and will
have an enhanced service life wing, enhanced cargo handling system,
a universal aerial refuelling receptacle slipway installation (boom
refuelling receptacle), more powerful electrical generators, an
electro-optical and infrared sensor, a combat systems operator
station on
the flight deck and provisions for the large aircraft infrared
countermeasures system.
Donald Wurster, commander of Air Force Special Operations
Command says: ‘The MC-130J is one of the most versatile tactical
airlifters in the world. Its multi-mission capabilities will
increase the combat performance of special operations forces
worldwide. The MC-130J’s advanced sensors, expanded avionics and
universal aerial refuelling capability will enable the highly
skilled airmen of AFSOC to operate under difficult conditions with
unmatched speed and capability.’
Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin’s VP for C-130 programs adds:
‘As the most flexible airlifter in the world, this new Combat
Shadow configuration demonstrates the unmatched platform capability
of the Super Hercules.’ n
Lockheed Martin reveals first MC-130J aircraft
A plane bound for the UK was forced to land at Gatwick Airport
after a fuel leak dropped more than a tonne of petrol into the sky,
an accident report has revealed.
More than 200 passengers were on board the Thomas Cook Boeing
757 flight on June 12 2010 and after taking off from Bodrum in
Turkey, the aircraft leaked an estimated 2,860lb of fuel.
The fuel leakage reportedly came from the left engine of an
RB211 Rolls-Royce Unit, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch
report said.
After the incident, the airfield needed to be closed and a fuel
warning sign came on in the air, with the pilot considering
diverting to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport before deciding to
land in Gatwick in the UK instead.
The passengers evacuated out of the right hand side of the plane
because there was a ‘considerable amount of fuel spilled on the
runway’ the report said.
The source of the fuel leak was thought to have come from a pipe
coupling situated at the fuel pump on the left hand side engine,
maintenance engineers said. n
Virgin Blue, the Australian airline, is to purchase up to 18
ATR72 turboprop aircraft as part of its recently announced
strategic alliance with Sky West airlines.
The first four of the ATR Turboprop 68-seater aircraft would be
introduced from the middle of 2011, with a further four to arrive
next year.
Virgin Blue CEO and managing director John Borghetti says: ‘The
ATR is the best aircraft to operate on regional routes throughout
Australia. It provides the greatest fuel efficiency and passenger
comfort for this category of aircraft.’
He continues: ‘The ATR will form the foundation of our regional
network plans, with the first six ATRs replacing our current
Embraer E170 fleet and the additional aircraft flying to new
regional destinations.’
Virgin Blue says the ATR72 aircraft produces between 45% and 50%
lower CO2 emissions and consumes 40% to 45% less fuel on typical
regional sectors, when compared to the Embraer E170 jet.
Under the wet lease arrangement, Skywest will provide the
technical and cabin crew and source the maintenance provider of the
fleet.
The announcement comes after the airline chose to raise its fuel
levy by AU$100 (€71) for some international flights in order to
cope with rises in global fuel prices.
The increase on international fuel surcharges came into force on
21 March 2011 and happened just after a previous increase in
international fuel and baggage charges by the airline on 17
February 2011.
Under the changes, a return flight to the US now costs $330 for
the fuel surcharge, up from $230.
A return flight to Abu Dhabi, Europe and the UK costs a further
$40 and domestic fares will rise between $6 and $10 per sector.
‘Oil prices are reaching increasingly high levels, with the
average price of Singapore Jet Fuel rising by around 50% since
September 2010, from US$88 a barrel to US$131’, says Virgin Blue
CEO and MD John Borghetti. ‘The increases announced today go some
way to addressing the latest rises in global fuel prices; however
they will not recover the full cost. In making these changes, we
have been very conscious of balancing our commitment to providing
competitive fares with the operational costs of our business.’
n
Report finds fuel leak is to blame for emergency landing
Virgin Blue ups its prices and purchases new aircraft
Puma Energy has acquired ExxonMobil’s Central American fuel
marketing and supply businesses in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
Following the sale, the company will now have an additional 290
fuel service stations and eight fuel storage terminals, four
aviation fuel supply businesses, and two marine fuel supply
businesses – in Guatemala and Panama.
Puma Energy will also be acquiring ExxonMobil’s Manref Refinery
in Managua, Nicaragua and its 65% stake in the RASA refinery in El
Salvador.
Puma Energy’s chairman Pierre Eladari says: ‘The deal not only
enhances our existing business, but also adds three new markets. It
brings so much value for us and we believe we are in the process of
creating exciting new businesses, new opportunities for staff and a
new era for fuel supply in Central America. We have the technical
and commercial capabilities, the ability to supply and the ability
to deliver. It’s a hugely exciting opportunity.’
Puma Energy already has fuel marketing businesses in El
Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras and also fuel supply businesses
across the Caribbean, including in Puerto Rico and the Dominican
Republic. n
Puma Energy buys ExxonMobil’s downstream businesses
-
The Fuelhandler NEWS
16 MAY 2011
Biofuels International magazine is the ONLY industry publication
to be independently audited. 10 times a year the magazine is sent
out to over 3,000 industry experts all over
the globe – guaranteed.
internationalbi fuels
September 2010 Issue 7 • volume 4
Regional focus: biofuels in Canada
Taking matters into handThe emergence of portableand handheld
equipment isspeeding up fuel qualityanalysis
European biodiesel and ethanol – market statistics for 2009
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Includes storage
supplement
Sceptical about distribution figures?
www.biofuels-news.com
-
NEWS The Fuelhandler
MAY 2011 17
ELAFLEX - Gummi Ehlers GmbHTel. +49 40 54 000 50 www.elaflex.de
[email protected] also covering South & Central America:
www.elaflexlatinamerica.com
Aircraft Refuelling: Hoses, Fittings, Nozzles and Expansion
Joints.
2010_Anzeige_AircraftRefuelling.indd 1 03.08.2010 10:21:16
A plane skidded off a runway because of a minor fuel leak on 10
April 2011 at Sunriver Airport in Oregon, US.
Fire-fighters were called to the scene and the only person on
board, the pilot, was not injured.
Fire-fighters stopped the leak which reportedly occurred because
of damage to the landing gear section of the plane.
The private single-engine Cesena Centurion 210 plane accident
caused the runway to shut for a number of hours before the aircraft
could be taken away from the area. n
Plane skids off runway because of fuel leak
Jetstar, the low cost Australian airline, is looking to use its
Asian hub for expansion even though the current aviation market is
slow because of the rise in jet fuel prices.
Jetstar is increasing its destinations to 11 with Cairns,
Australia, and is also to connect
its New Zealand flights to Asia.The flight schedule rise
follows a recent introduction of flights between Perth and the
Gold Coast and Perth and Brisbane, new schedules that were
introduced at the end of 2010.
Jetstar says that even though it is a tough time for the
aviation industry, the airline is still gaining more customers
because of its low-priced fares. n
NASA has plugged $16.5 million (€11.4 million) for research into
making aeroplanes greener and quieter with the designs, to be built
between 2030 and 2035.
Since October 2008, the technology has been developed and
concepts and models will be further tested in computer simulations,
laboratories and wind tunnels.
The research has been funded by NASA’s Aeronautics Research
Mission Directorate in Washington, US, and the company’s
Fundamental Aeronautics Program is helping to develop the
technology.
Under the project, the Boeing Research and Technology team will
look at truss-based wing aircraft designs and hybrid electric
engine technology.
Boeing is to study lightweight materials and engine concepts for
even more
futuristic planes that could fly between 2040 and 2045.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) team is also
working on a design that incorporates a dual fuselage, two partial
cylinders placed side by side, that would create a wider structure
than the traditional tube-and-wing airliner. The team says it will
develop the technologies identified during the first study and
build a model for testing. MIT is also to explore the challenges of
high-efficiency, small-core engine technology - the idea that it is
not necessary to increase an engine’s size to increase efficiency
in delivering power.
Under the project, the Northrop Grumman team will also test
models of the leading edge of the wing, aiming to create a smooth
edge without the current standard slats, aeroplanes would be
quieter and consume less fuel at cruise altitudes because of the
smoother flow of air over the wings. n
Jetstar expands services amid jet fuel rises
NASA plugs $16.5 million into plane development programme
-
The Fuelhandler NEWS
18 MAY 2011
The Airbus Military A330, which has been built for the United
Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force, was successfully tested during a
three hour flight.
The fuel capacity for the plane is 111 tonnes which allows the
aircraft to carry out air-to-air refuelling missions without an
additional fuel tank.
The A330 also can be built with air-to-air refuelling systems
including an advanced airbus military aerial refuelling boom
system, a pair of under-wing hose and drogue pods and a fuselage
refuelling unit.
The first three planes will be handed over to Abu Dhabi at
around the end of 2011 and the final phase for the flight-testing
will lead to the other planes’ deliveries by the Q2 2012. n
A report on airline testing of oil from jatropha has shown it
could be a potential substitute for traditional jet fuel.
Business Matchmaking, a non-profit company that works with
airlines, says Japan Airlines, Air New Zealand, Continental,
Brazil’s TAM Airlines and most recently the Mexican carrier
Interjet, in cooperation with European manufacturer Airbus, were
all tested with the jatropha fuel.
The report, written by Yale’s
School of Environmental Studies and funded by Boeing, says the
weed-like plant, which is normally grown on land that is unusable
for farming, ‘can deliver strong environmental and socioeconomic
benefits’.
Mission NewEnergy, the company that supplies the jatropha,
employs 140,000 people in India who produce the crops without
‘compromising food supply or food pricing’, the company says.
Mission NewEnergy is currently distributing the product in
Europe, and launching US operations,
James Garton, president of the company’s US operations, says:
‘We are particularly pleased to learn of repeated testing of
jatropha in aviation with positive results. With the unprecedented
challenges facing the airlines as a result of the constant increase
in the price of jet fuel, and the global need to accept
sustainability as a key to environmental responsibility, the
Jatropha solution is timely and efficient.’
In addition to civilian aviation, there are studies underway by
the military with regard to jatropha oil. Wilbert
Pearson, chairman of Mission NewEnergy’s Advisory Board, adds:
‘The military has a huge and continuing need for efficient and
affordable fuel and jatropha appears to meet those standards while
also meeting environmental demands.’
Ethanol was previously deemed suitable for planes but was later
ruled out because it freezes at relatively low altitudes.
The study by Yale showed that greenhouse gas reductions of up to
60% from jatropha-based fuel could be made, when compared to
petroleum-based jet fuel. n
The Airbus Military tests plane with 111 tonne fuelling
system
Report shows jatropha could be good substitute for traditional
jet fuel
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US has issued
an emergency directive, which requires operators of specific early
Boeing 737 models to conduct initial and repetitive electromagnetic
inspections for fatigue damage.
This action will initially apply to about 175 aircraft
worldwide, 80 of which are US-registered aircraft, of which most
are operated by Southwest Airlines.
The FAA airworthiness directive will require initial inspections
using electromagnetic, or eddy-current, technology in specific
areas of the aircraft fuselage on certain Boeing 737 aircraft in
the -300, -400 and -500 series that have accumulated more than
30,000 flight cycles. It will then require repetitive inspections
at regular intervals.
In November 2010, the FAA published a rule designed specifically
to address widespread fatigue damage in aging aircraft. The rule
meant aircraft manufacturers had to establish a number of flight
cycles or hours a plane can operate and be free from fatigue
damage. The rule also requires aircraft manufacturers to
incorporate the limits into their maintenance programs.
‘Safety is our number one priority,’ says transportation
secretary Ray LaHood. ‘An incident is very serious and could result
in additional action depending on the outcome of the
investigation.’
‘The FAA has comprehensive programs in place to protect
commercial aircraft from structural damage as they age,’ adds FAA
administrator Randy Babbitt. ‘This action is designed to detect
cracking in a specific part of the aircraft that cannot be spotted
with visual inspection.’ n
FAA implements emergency directive for Boeing planes
The Brunswick Executive Airport has reopened in Brunswick,
Maine, US, following a redevelopment which should see the airport
sell about 100,000 gallons of fuel a year.
Throughout its first year the owner of the airport, Midcoast
Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) predicts the airport will
witness about 9,000 aircraft movements, mostly transient business
and general aviation traffic.
FlightLevel Aviation has been hired to provide fixed-based
services on the ground, a space which will include a 15,240m²
hangar and a runway measuring 2,440m² in length.
The former hangar, which previously housed planes from Kestrel
Aviation, is to be developed into a turboprop storage facility.
It is thought the airport will be used for business aircraft and
a refuelling stopping point for transatlantic business flights.
Currently there are not any instrument approaches or control
towers in operation. n
Brunswick Executive Airport opens in US
-
TECHNOLOGy NEWS The Fuelhandler
MAY 2011 19
Cobham to supply Boeing with hoses and drogues Cobham Mission
Equipment says it has been chosen by Boeing to supply hose and
drogue aerial refuelling systems to be used on the US Air Force’s
new KC-46A Tanker Aircraft.
Boeing has won a hotly-contested $35 billion (€26 billion)
contract to supply the Air Force with new tankers.
Cobham says its systems will be manufactured at its air-to-air
refuelling facilities in Davenport, Iowa, US.
Each of the 179 tankers are to be fitted with Cobham’s
centreline drogue system and about 30 tankers will also be provided
with a pair of wing-mounted aerial refuelling pods.
The company has not yet said how much the deal is worth for the
company. n
Murcia Airport Concession will invest almost €5 million in
building fuel storage and distribution facilities at a new airport
in Murcia, Spain, which will be looked after by CLH Aviación.
CLH Aviación, which belongs to the CLH Group, won the contract
to run the storage and distribution of aviation fuels and
lubricants at the new international airport in the Autonomous
Region.
CLH will also build the facilities for the aviation fuel and
lubricant storage with
an investment of nearly €5 million.The company will be the sole
provider for fuel at
the site, which will be brought to the airport in tank trucks
from the company’s facility in Escombreras.
The storage tanks and quality control will be serviced by CLH,
which will also provide aviation product service-into-plane. The
company says it aims for this service to be ‘environmentally
friendly’.
CLH already supplies aviation fuel at San Javier airport in
Murcia and has a 50km pipeline that connects its refinery in
Cartagena to another facility in Alicante. n
BioMCN and the Investment and Development Agency of North
Netherlands (NOM), along with Linde, Visser & Smit Hanab and
Siemens are building the world’s biggest biomass refinery in
Delfzijl, the Netherlands.
The new refinery will be built next to BioMCN’s existing biofuel
plant which opened in 2010. The companies
have asked the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and
Innovation for some funding for the project, and the refinery will
process about 1.5 million tonnes of residual wood when
completed.
The plant will yield more than 500 million litres of second
generation bio-methanol, although a large amount of money still
needs to be invested for the construction of the new infrastructure
as well as for the construction of the refinery.
The companies are becoming involved in the framework of
the European Program NER300 , which provides funding for
large-scale projects that capture and store CO2 or allow for new
technologies to develop and implement renewable energy.
‘We appreciate the importance that the European Committee
attaches to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the stimulus to
produce and use renewable energy. With this consortium we want to
make a significant contribution to the availability of second
generation bio-fuels throughout Europe,’ says Rob Voncken, CEO of
BioMCN. n
CLH Aviación awarded contract for new Murcia airport
Biggest biomass refinery to be built in Delfzijl
FuelMaster, part of Syn-Tech, a fuel automation system company
located in Tallahassee, Florida, US has been sending US troops
hamper boxes.
The ‘Troop Boxes’ are sent to soldiers, sailors, airmen and
marines in the Middle East each month and feature food, personal
hygiene products and reading material.
Recipients are often FuelMaster product users and Paul Johnson,
the company’s director of government operations, says: ‘We’re
thankful for the sacrifices that our troops are making over there,
so as a company, we feel it’s the least we can do
to show our appreciation.’The company has been
donating supplies to troops since 2003 during the Iraqi war and
was originally exclusively a defense contractor.
Johnson says: ‘A large percentage of our employees are veterans
from all four branches of the military, so we understand what it’s
like to endure the hardships of deploying to a warzone.’
Employee Cynthia Saldivar recently nominated her husband, a
Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps, to receive a box. Her husband
is currently fighting in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
Johnson adds: ‘We enjoy sending boxes to all troops, but that
one was special.
Knowing that it will benefit a member of the Syn-Tech
family really helped motivate people to get involved.’ n
FuelMaster sends goodie boxes to US troops
FuelMaster is sending food and toilettries kits to troops in the
Middle East
-
Gammon Technical Products, a company specialising in aviation
fuel handling and control, has launched its new HydroKit Fuel Water
Detector Sampler.
The closed loop Hydrokit Tester improves the job of testing for
water in jet fuel with the use of the small device mounted onto a
pumping facility.
The device enables users to test the fuel without any need for
test jars or samples to be taken. The internal mechanism allows
samples to be delivered to the Velcon HydroKit from a pressurized
line without the pressure reaching the glass vial.
There is hardly any employee exposure to the fuel and the
product does not have any jars or containers to keep clean. A
flushing feature is built into the design. n
Honeywell, a terminal services provider, has created a Calibron
prover which has been specifically engineered with no
metal-to-metal contact inside the flow tube, ensuring minimal wear
to provide easy service for the user.
The Honeywell Calibron small volume prover provides consistent
and accurate flow verification. It is compact and lightweight,
making it suitable for equipment manufacturers, calibration
experts, fuel farm managers and airlines.The design allows for
accurate flow
verification regardless of variations in temperature, volume,
viscosity or pressure. It also results in low pressure drop even at
the high flow rates required for fuelling a large number of
aircrafts on demand.
The closed loop system is calibrated by a NIST traceable and
NMi-certified lab to meet the guidelines of API 4.2. The design
also means there is less compliance risk because the meters are
brough reliably within state weights and measures tolerances to
calibrate the meter to zero. n
The Fuelhandler TECHNOLOGy NEWS
20 MAY 2011
Bruker, a materials research and quality control instrumentation
company, has launched FUELex, a portable fuel analyser for rapid
and simultaneous analysis of multiple jet and diesel fuel
properties.
The FUELex analyser utilizes a fuel library built from
commercial and military sources and is a suitable device for
monitoring changes in jet and diesel fuel quality, providing
results on over 12 properties simultaneously.
With its fibre optic dip probe, FUELex sampling consumes no fuel
and requires no special sample preparation. Current sample type
capabilities include Jet A, Jet A-1, JP5, JP8, Diesel and Diesel 1.
The results from the testing are ready in less than three seconds
after activating the measurement.
The FUELex permits multiple properties of the sample fuel to be
measured simultaneously and correlated to ASTM parameters. These
properties include API gravity, aromatics, cetane index, density,
distillation temperatures,
freeze point, flash point, hydrogen content, viscosities and
saturates.
Operation requires minimal training and is performed with touch
screen commands. The display can be set for simple Pass / Fail
readouts and the operation leaves little chance for operational
error. FUELex is also t