Students required to use fuel truck?

I like the idea of a student getting experience in other aspects of airport (not aircraft) operations. Aviation is a melting pot of different jobs, each one accenting the other.
 
That's what this ultimately comes down to -- people don't "feel" that it "should" be something a pilot has to do.

And get their gelled hair mussed up in the process, break a nail, or get a stain on the 4 stripes on the epaulets? You can't be serious in supporting them having to perform such a blue collar function! :D
 
That's the important question.

Many flying clubs have their members fuel the planes to keep costs down. I see nothing wrong with a college having them do the same thing. As many others have said it is something that a pilot NEEDS to know how to do.

Now what the insurance company has to say about it, I have no idea.
Exactly.

I like the idea of a student getting experience in other aspects of airport (not aircraft) operations. Aviation is a melting pot of different jobs, each one accenting the other.
Yup. And I also think a student should help with a 100 hour or at least an oil change or 2. I don't think it's NECESSARY but I do think it's a good idea.

And get their gelled hair mussed up in the process, break a nail, or get a stain on the 4 stripes on the epaulets? You can't be serious in supporting them having to perform such a blue collar function! :D
This reminds me, I heard a great "you know you're a freight dog when" from my buddy today.
You know you're a freight dog when....the line guy puts gas in the plane and then asks you to give the receipt to the pilot.
 
the school explained that there is a sump separator that takes in the separated water and when it fills up you cannot pump fuel, that it automatically shuts off.
I guess since it isnt an FBO it doesnt have to be sumped daily. When I worked the line the trucks would be sumped every morning. We would sump the tank, and the filter vessels.
 
At my school, students fuel up the planes but not the truck. We pull the planes up to the truck and pump from there. Its really simple. I have not driven the fuel truck, but wouldn't have a problem if they asked me to do so.
 
I guess since it isnt an FBO it doesnt have to be sumped daily. When I worked the line the trucks would be sumped every morning. We would sump the tank, and the filter vessels.

Makes since that you would do that daily. I'm thinking water in the tanks isn't a huge deal here in the summers but in the winters it would be. I'm sure they monitor it and we will be instructed to monitor it. Besides the risk of a spill or hitting the helicopter I'm actually excited to do more. I enjoy the airport environment in it's entirety so I think it will be great to go get the truck and fuel up. I am a little concerned now with the liability issues if something goes wrong. nothing was said about spills yet, but we have not had any formal training on it. Just a briefing.
 
Makes since that you would do that daily. I'm thinking water in the tanks isn't a huge deal here in the summers but in the winters it would be. I'm sure they monitor it and we will be instructed to monitor it. Besides the risk of a spill or hitting the helicopter I'm actually excited to do more. I enjoy the airport environment in it's entirety so I think it will be great to go get the truck and fuel up. I am a little concerned now with the liability issues if something goes wrong. nothing was said about spills yet, but we have not had any formal training on it. Just a briefing.
You make a good point about it not being as big of a deal here in CA during the summer, but you never know how the water will get in.

I would like to see the students get some training on how to handle spills. Oh, and some helicopters are a royal PITA to fuel.
 
You make a good point about it not being as big of a deal here in CA during the summer, but you never know how the water will get in.

I would like to see the students get some training on how to handle spills. Oh, and some helicopters are a royal PITA to fuel.

I agree and I think I will bring up the spill issue. I think it's very important. Not sure how it works but I'm sure there is a spill kit or something...i'm guessing you don't just go get a hose and water it down...
 
I agree and I think I will bring up the spill issue. I think it's very important. Not sure how it works but I'm sure there is a spill kit or something...i'm guessing you don't just go get a hose and water it down...
Correct. There is stuff like kitty litter you spread over the fuel. You then shovel all that up, and dispose of it properly.
 
See...the school is run by angry line service guys who have constructed the best way to get back at all those damned student pilots!
 
See...the school is run by angry line service guys who have constructed the best way to get back at all those damned student pilots!
They can't be worse than the pilot of a 207 asking to be topped off, and only taking three gallons.
 
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