criticisms trail inauguration of fuel committee
|
|
Two aviation experts,Grp Capt John Ojikutu(rtd) and Capt Mohammed Badamsi have reacted to the inauguration of the NCAA Audit Committee of all aviation fuel activities in Nigeria.
Below are their views.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
The pilot or Captain can check the fuel bowser delivery to the aircraft, just as the Licence Aircraft Engineer(LAE) can if he is attending to the departure.
But the pilot/Captain cannot do the check on the aircraft during his walkaround inspection. Only the engineer can do this, as it requires a special tool to unseat the Sump Drain Valve and capture the drained sample in a clean glass jar which is then inspected for the presence of water or other sediment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
In addition to these recommendations, it’s the responsibility of technical crew members of an aircraft to carry out contamination check, before the commencement of 
fueling their aircraft.
fueling their aircraft.I’ve observed that, this tradition of checking for contamination is ignored by pilots in recent years. Pilots just sit in the crew restroom and wait to be informed that the aircraft had been fueled and ready for boarding.
Though, it is part of the duty of the Aircraft ground Engineer, to ensure that the fuel is checked for contamination before it can be loaded.
The aircraft ground Engineer is not required to be on a flight. He or she will not be in the aircraft, when trouble starts. This is why, the safety of the aircraft is the responsibility of the Captain.
Because 
water is heavier than fuel, it rests at the bottom of a tank. Therefore, during a test, it’s water that comes out first.
water is heavier than fuel, it rests at the bottom of a tank. Therefore, during a test, it’s water that comes out first.Any pilot 
reading this post, knows that this check can be done before fueling from the fuel truck, and on the aircraft after refuelling.
reading this post, knows that this check can be done before fueling from the fuel truck, and on the aircraft after refuelling.The check on the aircraft can be done under the wings of the aircraft, during a 
around check.
around check.The safety of the aircraft is the kresponsibility of the pilot in command. He will be held accountable for whatever happens if he is alive to give account.
But, what took NCAA so long, to setup the this committee. Two months in the life of aircraft movements, is a minus for NCAA oversight management performance.
The NCAA should ask to see the special tool at each operator’s base and line stations as a first step to verify that the right tool is available to do the task everyday.The responsibilities of the technical crew must be part of the Airlines Safety Programmes approved by the NCAA and subjects for regular oversight, Checks, Inspections and Audits by the NCAA. Are these being done or adhere to?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
