Fluids and materials you work with at the airport — from jet fuel to de-icing fluid
An overview of the substances that keep aircraft vehicles and equipment running — and what you need to know about handling them safely
An aircraft taking off on time is the result of a whole system of materials and fluids, each of which has their own properties and risks. As an airport operator you come into contact with several of them in the course of an ordinary working day — often without thinking about it. Here is an overview of the most important ones.
§Jet fuel – Jet A-1
The most common aviation fuel in civil aviation is Jet A-1 a petroleum-based fuel type manufactured to very strict international specifications from among others ASTM and IATA. Jet A-1 has a flash point that normally lies above 38 °C and a low freezing point around −47 °C which makes it suitable for flying in the cold air at high altitudes. The fuel is typically supplemented with additives that prevent ice formation in the fuel system reduce static electricity and prevent corrosion.
§Safe handling of fuel
It is precisely because Jet A-1 is flammable that strict requirements are placed on handling during refuelling. All sources of ignition such as sparks and open flame near the work area must be avoided and spark-free tools and explosion-proof equipment are used during the work. Aircraft and refuelling vehicles are electrically bonded so static electricity cannot build up and trigger a spark while fuel flows.
§De-icing fluid — glycol-based products
In winter you also work with de-icing and anti-icing fluids, which are typically based on glycol mixed with water. The fluids come in several types (see the separate article on de-icing), and common to all of them is that they must be stored, dosed and disposed of according to fixed procedures — both because they are costly and because glycol can be harmful to the environment if it ends up in nature or sewers in large quantities.
§Hydraulic fluid and oil in vehicles and equipment
Airports' many specialist vehicles — pushback tractors, lifts, baggage trucks and loaders — run on hydraulics, as do many parts of the aircraft itself. Hydraulic fluid operates under high pressure and can cause serious injuries if it sprays out through a leak. Diesel for vehicles and GPU units (Ground Power Unit, which supplies parked aircraft with power) is another common fuel you encounter in daily work on the apron.
| Fabric | Used for | Most important risk |
|---|---|---|
| Jet A-1 | Jet fuel | Fire hazard, static electricity |
| De-icing fluid (glycol) | Remove/prevent ice and snow on airplane | Smooth substrate, environmental impact |
| Hydraulic fluid | Steering of aircraft and vehicles' moving parts | High-pressure leakage skin irritation |
| Diesel | Vehicles and GPU equipment | Fire hazard, spill |
Common to all the fluids and materials you work with at an airport is that they are chosen because they solve a technical task — not because they are harmless. Your task is to know their properties well enough to use them correctly, store them properly and know what to do if something goes wrong.