Rules for Aircraft Defueling?

Question

I am having an argument with the people I work with about the rules regarding grounding of light aircraft during defueling.

During my training I was always told that you have to ground the plane to the barrel, the plane to the ground and the barrel to the ground.

Where I work they just attach the barrel to the plane - claiming that as both the plane and the barrel are sitting on the ground they are grounded.

I know that I am correct, and that my fellow workers are wrong, but am struggling to find the written evidence to prove my point.

Can anyone help with sources of the rules?

Answer 1

You are correct by grounding the a/c to the barrel but you MUST have a source going to the ground. A proper ground point must go at least 3' into the ground. Where you work they have the data you need to read or they will be in trouble with the authorities. What i see is the good old " we won`t do nothing about it to we get in trouble".  They are playing on ignorance and when it comes getting caught. Management will say you where trained and it`s all on you.

Answer 2

simply... how can static electricity flow through an insulator like tires on the aircraft?   The buildup of electricity from friction with the air has no way of discharging through an insulator (tyres) on landing. Both aircraft and hose need to be grounded sepperatly to neutralize the charges then can be connected together. refueling truck must also be grounded, because the flow of fuel also can cause static electricity.

Answer 3

The purpose of bonding is to share a static charge caused by the transfer of fuel from one container to another rather than causing spark and igniting the fuel that's being removed.

If you need to know about bonding and static, look to the Gamgrams. These are some great inputs from people who have been in the fuel business for longer than I've been alive.

I don't think they're going to agree with you, but at the very worst you're out 5 minutes to look at the gamgrams. You can find them at www.gammontech.com.

JT