If your business owns an aircraft, then chances are you'll have to deal with aircraft fuel systems repair at some point. Aircraft fuel tank repair must be signed off on by an authorized inspector so chances are you won't be performing any airplane fuel systems repair. But as the business owner you should understand aircraft fuel systems repair basics.

In the course of aircraft fuel cell maintenance or aircraft fuel cell repair you'll likely be the person signing the checks, so it pays to understand a little about aviation fuel systems repair and where to go to get the best prices on the aircraft fuel system parts that you'll need. If you want to understand aircraft fuel systems repair basics, then start by asking yourself the following questions:

1. What can I find out about aviation fuel system repair?

2. How readily available are parts to repair aircraft fuel tank systems?

3. What sort of aircraft fuel tank maintenance can prevent excessive wear?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Gather general information about aviation fuel systems repair

Before you can focus on how to fix aircraft fuel system and fuel cells you'll want to understand how an aircraft fuel system works. Spend some time researching the fuel system that your plane has. It doesn't hurt to do this before something goes wrong and you need to repair aircraft fuel tank systems.

I recommend: Aviation Week has an in-depth article about aviation fuel systems and for more depth, try Bill Neese's book Aircraft Fuel Systems from Aircraft Technical Book Company. Check the service menu of Southwest Airframe & Tank Services, North American Aircraft Services and Dynamic Aircraft Repair Team for an idea of the range of aircraft fuel system repairs, such as fuel leak detection, fuel tank decontamination and compliance with service bulletins.

Comparison shop for parts to repair aircraft fuel system components

Even if you don't make the fuel system repairs on your aircraft you'll still have to pay for the parts and labor to repair aircraft fuel systems, so it makes sense for you to shop around for the best price on parts. Often times you'll have to make phone calls to get prices, but more and more aircraft repair companies are making their parts inventories available online.

I recommend: Chief Aircraft sells aircraft fuel system repair parts. Other companies, like Piper Parts Plus, require online registration but still provide online ordering.

Hire a mechanic to perform regular aircraft fuel tank maintenance

If you don't already have one, you'll need a certified mechanic (known as an A&P) to make your aircraft fuel system repairs. You'll also need an authorized inspector, or an AI, to sign off on the work. An A&P may also be an AI.

I recommend: If you want to hire a mechanic you can post the listing at Aerotek, an aviation employment and staffing service. If you have an A&P or AI in mind for the job but want to check a resume, then you can check for valid certificates at Landings.com. U.S. air carriers must get their aviation fuel systems repair work done at repair stations certified by the Federal Aviation Adminstration.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you only have one plane, then consider hiring a mechanic from the local FBO (fixed base operator) at your airport. These mechanics know about aircraft fuel tank repair and, while they may have to work on your plane on a weekend or after hours, they're close to home and you can check their references without leaving the airport.

Making sure to stay on top of your aircraft fuel systems repair is key to keeping your aircraft safe and in the air. From line repair to your fuel cell being intact, making sure that your entire fuel system is working properly is key.

Aviation fuel systems repair can easily be handled by the many trained professionals at various privately owned companies as well as those at municipally held airports.

To take advantage of the nearest aircraft fuel systems repair service provider near you:

1. Determine if you are going info general maintenance or if you are going in for aircraft fuel systems repair because of an immediate threat.

2. Ask for a quote before service is rendered. If your plane is not fly-worthy, you may not have a choice, but at least nailing down a figure out front will help you in the long run.

3. If you opt for a short term fix to return you to your home airport, immediately seek out aircraft fuel tank repair specialists to help you with a long-term fix.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take advantage of aircraft fuel systems repair services

Find aircraft fuel systems repair service providers near you. From inspections to maintenance to repair services, they can help you with all of your fuel service needs.

I recommend: Look to Aero-Mach Labs for your aircraft instruments and fuel system components service, repair and manufacturing. AOG can offer aircraft fuel tank maintenance, inspection, assessment and repair. Southwest Airframe & Tank Service offers comprehensive fuel system maintenance and airplane fuel tank repair services including fuel system troubleshooting, airframe and structural repair (fuel system related), single point refueling systems, scheduled maintenance / inspections, AOG response teams, fuel leak detection and repair, pre-purchase inspections, installation of auxiliary fuel systems, corrosion inspection and removal and compliance with service bulletins (fuel system related). Reliance AeroProducts offers both integral aircraft fuel system repair services and fuel cell services.

Purchase products for aviation fuel systems repair

Buy the products and items to ensure that you have everything that you need for your aviation fuel systems repair.

I recommend: Purchase PR-705 Fuel Tank Channel Sealant from Bergdahl Associates, an authorized distributor of PRC-DeSoto products. Purchase or look for aircraft fuel cell repair through Eagle Fuel Cells-ETC. They can provide new, overhauled, exchanges and custom built fuel cells for you. Buy carburetor parts for consolidated fuel systems from Chief Aircraft. Check out Kelly Aerospace fuel system overhaul kits for your fuel system overhaul.

Use a fixed base of operation for your aircraft fuel tank repair

A fixed base of operation (FBO) can help you with your aircraft fuel tank repair service needs. FBOs can be privately held companies or may be part of the municipality that the airport serves.

I recommend: Check out the FBO locations in the Landmark Aviation Network. Look at the FBO services offered at Champaign's Willard Airport in Savoy, Illinois. National Jets is an FBO facility that specialize in a wide range of corporate aviation aircraft services including maintenance and fueling. Use the Phillips 66 FBO locator for your airline fuel needs. Phillips 66 provides 24-hour emergency fuel service, including pre-blended jet fuel with deicer and avgas.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If a local FOB service is working on the repair of your aircraft fuel tank, take advantage of their many amenities such as lounge services, showers, rest rooms, gift shops and more.

Aircraft fuel tank repair is a highly skilled profession that requires a lot of mechanical knowledge of different types of aircraft. The fuel systems on many models of aircraft vary widely, so there is also a lot of specialization in this field.

Many people get their aircraft fuel systems repair education and training through military service, but there are also many classes and educational opportunities for those who want to work on exclusively on commercial aircraft. Airplane fuel systems repair requires many training courses and certifications, but you can get these through a variety of outlets, including:

1. Traditional college and vocational courses for airplane fuel systems repair.

2. Online courses and remote training resources.

3. A combination of online work with face-to-face training seminars for certification in specific areas.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Explore training opportunities for aviation fuel systems repair

There are many different ways to begin training in aviation fuel systems repair. One option for affordable training is joining the National Guard. Non-military training programs will teach you to work with commercial aviation equipment.

I recommend: Air National Guard teaches recruits to repair aircraft fuel systems, and outlines the career opportunities for people with this training. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology can provide training courses to earn an A & P license, which is required to do maintenance on any commercial aircraft.

Find online resources to learn more about aircraft fuel system repair

If you want to learn more about how to repair an aircraft fuel system before you begin classes, or if you just want to supplement what you are already learning, there are many online resources available. You can get tools like ebooks, videos and statistics on how to repair aircraft fuel tank components.

I recommend: Training-Classes.com offers many resources for those taking classes in aircraft fuel cell repair, including topics like fluid dynamics. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also offers a large amount of information on licensing and certificates, and what you need to work on specific aircraft fuel tanks.

Sign up for seminars that teach you how to fix aircraft fuel systems

Attending a seminar that teaches you to repair an aircraft fuel tank is a quick way to keep your certification up to date if you're already trained in repairing aircraft fuel systems. It's also a good way to pick up new skills.

I recommend: Aircraft Maintenance Technology provides a host of virtual seminars that can teach you how to use a variety of aircraft maintenance software titles. The FAA Safety Team offers a wide range of seminars, including those that teach safety skills to mechanics who already know how to perform maintenance and repair an aircraft fuel system.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Certifications for aircraft fuel tank maintenance must be maintained and renewed at specific intervals, so pay attention to the date you receive your certification to know when it's time to recertify.

Aircraft fuel systems have some industry-specific terms that you won't hear when discussing other types of vehicles. Some of these terms, like air-to-fuel ratio, make sense to most people with some knowledge of piston engines. Others, such as airframe and powerplant, may not make as much sense. Learning some of these terms will help you better understand what's going on with your company's aircraft and its fuel system.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P)

An airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P) receives special training and certification to work on aircraft, including fuel systems. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates what sort of training an A&P must have to retain certification.

I recommend: The United States Department of Labor explains what an A&P does and what kind of training they receive.

Aviation jet fuel

Aviation jet fuel has several different incarnations. Jet-A, Jet-B, JP-4, JP-5 and JP-8 are all different types of aviation jet fuels. Each type of aviation jet fuel has a different purpose as well as distinct defining characteristics.

I recommend: CSG lists the different types of aviation jet fuels. It also defines each type of fuel and explains the differences, uses and additives.

Aviation gasoline (AVGAS)

Aviation gasoline (AVGAS) is different from aviation jet fuel. It has a higher octane rating (100) than car gasoline and has lead added to it. AVGAS is used in airplanes with piston engines.

I recommend: To understand more about AVGAS and how it works, read more at Shell.

Detonation

Detonation occurs when the fuel-air mixture does not burn smoothly in the engine's cylinder, exploding because it gets too hot too fast. This can harm the cylinder in your aircraft engine.

I recommend: To better understand detonation, its contributing factors and related conditions, read the explanation from Experimental Aircraft Information.

Air-to-fuel ratio

Air-to-fuel ratio, also known as A/F or AFR, refers to how much air and fuel is in the aircraft engine as it runs. Pilots can adjust the AFR with the plane's mixture.

I recommend: Learn more about AFR and the relationship between fuel and oxygen at Cygnus Interactive.

Usable fuel

Usable fuel refers to the amount of the fuel your aircraft can use. For example, your business aircraft my have a capacity for 26 gallons of fuel in each wing but the usable fuel will be slightly less.

I recommend: To learn how to calculate the weight of the usable fuel on your aircraft, use the formula provided in the aviation glossary at J. Mesinger Corporate Jet Sales.