Today we received a letter from Chevron and were asked to share it with our members.
Chevron is explicitly advising against the use of their automotive fuels in aircraft. Read below:
Chevron is explicitly advising against the use of their automotive fuels in aircraft. Read below:
USE OF CHEVRON MOTOR GASOLINE IN AIRCRAFT
We expect you have heard through the media about Chevron’s recent product mix incident in which some ethanol-free regular-grade 87-octane motor gasoline was unintentionally blended into our premium products and sold between September 8 and 10, 2015 at a number of our service station locations in British Columbia. As a result, some customers may have mistakenly received a lower octane fuel than listed on the pump. Chevron is committed to resolving this issue with its customers and, if you purchased premium fuels from any impacted station during that period, further information can be accessed through Chevron’s website at www.chevron.ca.
It has come to Chevron’s attention, as a result of this incident, that there may be operators of aircraft in British Columbia using motor gasoline fuel purchased from Chevron retail service stations in their aircraft. Chevron does not condone such use and in fact believes there may very well be a significant flight safety risk associated with fueling aircraft using any fuel that does not meet government and industry approved aviation specifications and guidelines. This includes unleaded fuels intended for ground vehicles, even if such fuel is used in aircraft that has been deemed compatible with unleaded ground fuel (gasoline). While Chevron fuels sold at our service stations meet applicable regulatory standards for use in motor vehicles, in our view only fuels designed and managed as aviation fuels should be used in aircraft. Therefore, any use of motor vehicle fuel in aircraft is at the sole risk of the aircraft operator. Please see the Transport Canada website for further information, and in particular bulletin TP 10737: The Use of Automobile Gasoline (Mogas) in Aviation.
While there are a number of reasons supporting our position, the following are a few examples of why we believe the use of non-aviation fuel in aircraft is unsafe:
• The production and handling of aviation fuel follow much stricter guidelines than ground fuels. This is necessary due to the heightened safety concerns of airborne vessels.
• Unlike aviation fuels, ground fuels do not require complete segregation and/or isolation from other fuel streams during manufacture and distribution, along with traceability back to its origin. Without such isolation and segregation, there is an increased risk of fuel-related engine failure during flight.
• Ethanol, which has been introduced into most ground fuels, has a variety of characteristics which makes it unsuitable for use in many aircrafts. The introduction of ethanol into an aircraft’s fuel system can lead to a dangerous or degraded engine and airframe performance.
Put simply, Chevron believes that aircraft operators should not use fuel in their aircraft acquired from fuel pumps and dispensers not explicitly labeled for aviation use.
Regarding last week’s product mix, while compensation claims will be considered regarding the purchase of a lower octane fuel at a premium price, we cannot comment on any of the impacts on any aircraft that may have used a lower octane fuel than was indicated. Our recommendation is to contact the aircraft OEM for guidance specific to a particular airframe and review the Transport Canada website for further information.
We expect you have heard through the media about Chevron’s recent product mix incident in which some ethanol-free regular-grade 87-octane motor gasoline was unintentionally blended into our premium products and sold between September 8 and 10, 2015 at a number of our service station locations in British Columbia. As a result, some customers may have mistakenly received a lower octane fuel than listed on the pump. Chevron is committed to resolving this issue with its customers and, if you purchased premium fuels from any impacted station during that period, further information can be accessed through Chevron’s website at www.chevron.ca.
It has come to Chevron’s attention, as a result of this incident, that there may be operators of aircraft in British Columbia using motor gasoline fuel purchased from Chevron retail service stations in their aircraft. Chevron does not condone such use and in fact believes there may very well be a significant flight safety risk associated with fueling aircraft using any fuel that does not meet government and industry approved aviation specifications and guidelines. This includes unleaded fuels intended for ground vehicles, even if such fuel is used in aircraft that has been deemed compatible with unleaded ground fuel (gasoline). While Chevron fuels sold at our service stations meet applicable regulatory standards for use in motor vehicles, in our view only fuels designed and managed as aviation fuels should be used in aircraft. Therefore, any use of motor vehicle fuel in aircraft is at the sole risk of the aircraft operator. Please see the Transport Canada website for further information, and in particular bulletin TP 10737: The Use of Automobile Gasoline (Mogas) in Aviation.
While there are a number of reasons supporting our position, the following are a few examples of why we believe the use of non-aviation fuel in aircraft is unsafe:
• The production and handling of aviation fuel follow much stricter guidelines than ground fuels. This is necessary due to the heightened safety concerns of airborne vessels.
• Unlike aviation fuels, ground fuels do not require complete segregation and/or isolation from other fuel streams during manufacture and distribution, along with traceability back to its origin. Without such isolation and segregation, there is an increased risk of fuel-related engine failure during flight.
• Ethanol, which has been introduced into most ground fuels, has a variety of characteristics which makes it unsuitable for use in many aircrafts. The introduction of ethanol into an aircraft’s fuel system can lead to a dangerous or degraded engine and airframe performance.
Put simply, Chevron believes that aircraft operators should not use fuel in their aircraft acquired from fuel pumps and dispensers not explicitly labeled for aviation use.
Regarding last week’s product mix, while compensation claims will be considered regarding the purchase of a lower octane fuel at a premium price, we cannot comment on any of the impacts on any aircraft that may have used a lower octane fuel than was indicated. Our recommendation is to contact the aircraft OEM for guidance specific to a particular airframe and review the Transport Canada website for further information.
Note: Advice and opinion noted herein are given in good faith and on the basis of the best information available, but no legal liability therefore is accepted by Chevron Canada Limited or any of its affiliates.
