How does Aviation Fueling Work? What You Need to Know

Aviation fuel is a particular kind of petroleum-based fuel used to run all manner of aircraft. This fuel is a highly combustible …

Aviation fuel is a particular kind of petroleum-based fuel used to run all manner of aircraft. This fuel is a highly combustible and therefore presents risks that must be accounted for during the delivery, storage and distribution processes. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration establishes rules and regulations concerning where and how planes must be refueled. Most countries have a similar body and similar rules, and failure to comply with these procedures can result in fines and loss of privileges.

Environmental Factors

It’s important to note that the refueling process varies from one airport to the next. The types of aircraft refueled as well as the frequency of the refueling will shape the exact facilities and procedures. There may be environmental factors specific to the location as well, such as the hotter temperatures down south as opposed to the colder ones up north. Airports that tend to cater to a specific type of craft will often have equipment and process tailored to those vehicles.

Delivering the Fuel

Many modern airports receive fuel through a dedicated pipeline. This pipeline connects in some manner to a petroleum supplier. This pipeline provides the fuel needed on demand, and integrated gauges monitor usage so that the consumer can be charged accordingly. When a direct fuel line is not practical or even possible, traditional deliveries occur instead. This is often accomplished via tanker trucks over the road but may be performed via rail tanks or marine vessels for airports conveniently located to rail lines and seaports, respectively.

Storing the Fuel

The refueling process must also account for storing the fuel. Even in cases where an airport has a direct pipeline to a supplier, the systems are segmented. Fuel is drawn from local holding tanks, and those tanks are refilled from the pipeline when most efficient to do so. It’s not usual for airports to have multiple holding tanks of the same kind. When a tank runs out, the system moves on to a subsequent tank. This allows the empty to tank to be cleaned and maintained before being refilled. Airports must often account for various fuel types as well. Jet A is commercial standard in the U.S., but Jet B, for instance, is necessary to prepare aircraft for cold weather flights.

Distributing the Fuel

The distribution process encompasses the various mechanisms and procedures needed to prepare aircraft for their flights. There are a number of different ways to achieve this, and beyond requirements outlined by the law, the specifics will depend on the location and the aircraft. Some aircraft have drastically different refueling requirements than mainstream vehicles. One of the biggest differences is whether an aircraft’s tanks are refilled on the ground or while in flight. Although on-the-ground refueling applies to most aircraft, aerial refueling is required in some cases.

Stationary Refueling

Most commercial airplanes and other aircraft are refueled after having landed, cleaned and otherwise serviced. The most conventional and perhaps still prevalent way to refuel on the ground is via refueling trucks. These trucks refuel via the holding tanks. They are then driven to wherever the planes are and are used to refill the tanks in close proximity. This is not the most efficient option available. Most major airports have moved over to hydrant-based fueling systems. These hydrants are at fixed locations convenient to where the planes and other aircraft are serviced. When in use, hoses are attached to the hydrant—much like a fire hydrant—and then carried to the aircraft for refueling. The hydrants draw fuel directly from the holding tanks and deliver it through the hose. Not only is this approach more operationally efficient, but it is more environmentally efficient and cuts down on the carbon footprint of the airport considerably.

Refueling in Flight

Although aerial refueling is often associated with military aircraft, it is employed in some cases commercially, and many major airports as well as other installations offer this service. This air refueling process is also known as air-to-air and in-flight refueling. In these cases, a specialized aircraft with storage tanks flies to the refueling plane’s position. Flight paths are coordinated between the pilots with help from computers. An attachment is then made in flight between the fuel holding tank and storage tank.

6 Points To Inspect To Insure Efficiency In A Factory

Factories are built for optimal efficiency and effectiveness. To optimize production and turnover, factories should be regularly inspected with a view to …

Factories are built for optimal efficiency and effectiveness. To optimize production and turnover, factories should be regularly inspected with a view to identifying and eliminating any errors that culminate in operational inefficiency and redundancies. For most factories, such inspection should focus on making improvements in various areas. Here are 6 of the key areas to inspect when seeking to enforce and ensure efficiency in a factory.

1- Machine Inspection

Machines contribute a large percentage of processes in a factory. An automated factory relies on machines for virtually every stage of production including production, packaging, and labeling. Such machines should be regularly inspected for potential flaws which could lead to operational inefficiencies in manufacturing. When inspecting machines, the focus should be made on issues such as wear and tear, lubrication, the condition of conveyor belts and loosened parts that if unattended would lead to machine breakdown and thus grinding the factory to a halt. In addition to this, electronic support systems such as computers should also be inspected to have the software debugged appropriately.

2- Inspection of Processes

Factories are controlled by processes and procedures that define the various stages of production. These processes comprise systemic procedures which can sometimes become redundant and ineffective. Process checks involve inspecting procedural work flow with a view to identifying lapses and instances of wastage of time and energy which would be utilized elsewhere. Proper adjustments should be made to tighten the processes to eliminate the human error. The checks also identify areas of improvement such as where human labor can be replaced with machines for faster production.

3- Inspection of Supply Chains

Factories highly depend on supply chains to ensure smooth flow of implements across the production lines. Inspection of the supply process ensures that every piece of production implement is provided in the right quantity and at the right time. Flaws in the volumes of production implements can seriously slow or grind to a halt the production process. It can also lead to the production of defective products. The inspection should also pay attention to the production rates per unit time with a view to determining any potential slacks over time. If the rate of production has reduced in the course of time, it would be an indication of a supply chain and production process, therefore hinting at areas where improvements would be necessary.

4- Personnel Inspections

Whereas factories are machine-dependent, manpower is also highly essential to man the machines and perform un-automatable processes. Manpower inspections seek to determine if the personnel involved in the production process are as efficient and skilled as they ought to be. Such inspections ought to focus on the prospects and rates of human error with a view to establishing the source and sealing any such loopholes. Also, the checks determine the output of human labor and any areas that may require more manpower or more skills to facilitate operational efficiency.

5- Inventory Inspections

Inventory checks are the basic inspection points to evaluate the performance of the factory in terms of its operational efficiency. These checks normally evaluate the factory for the production output rates, the product rejection rates, declining quality of products and late deliveries among other areas that would indicate how efficient the factory is. Late deliveries would be an indication of the fact that the factory is operationally strained in meeting the demand available in the market. Low production rates would also be indicated by a backlog of customer requests on products.

6- Inspection of Cleanliness

Cleanliness, although not directly related to the efficiency of a factory, is a vital input that shows how efficient a factory in is terms of operations. Cleanliness is a function of additional process-related issues such as quality production and rejection rates. When inspecting for cleanliness, major focus is made on the presence of unwanted parts in certain points. For instance, spillages on the factory floor are an indication of faults in production which could lead to losses. Neatness is a factor of cleanliness and primarily ensures that the factory is operationally hygienic and thus produces flawless and uncontaminated products which would lower product rejection rates.

Factory inspection provides suitable and high needed checks that point out flaws which can be improved on to optimize production. The results of a good inspection process could facilitate maintenance of operational efficiency in the factory.

5 Safety Tips When Handling A Rifle

Gun safety should be the top priority for every shooter. After all, maintaining safe habits is the best way to prevent accidental injuries …

Gun safety should be the top priority for every shooter. After all, maintaining safe habits is the best way to prevent accidental injuries at the shooting range. Many of the rules of gun safety are true for every weapon, but there are a few that are specific to rifles. Those guns are much larger than others, which can cause unique challenges when handling them in the field. Fortunately, it only takes a few good habits and some situational awareness to stay safe when handling a rifle, regardless of the environment.

1- Modify With Care

Most rifles can benefit from adding a few accessories. A scope can make you much more accurate when you are shooting, special pads can improve ergonomics, and lights are vital when shooting in the dark. These modifications can do a lot to improve the gun, so you shouldn’t hesitate to perform them, but you do need to be careful to make sure that your gun can still function safely. Adding a scope or other accessory to a rail is easy, but serious modifications, such as changing the barrel, are much more difficult. You should always make sure that all of the parts are compatible and test your gun carefully to make sure that everything is in good working order. When in doubt, get a professional to make the changes.

2- Watch The Muzzle

The muzzle is the most dangerous part of the rifle. You should always be aware of the direction that it is pointing and be sure that it is not facing anything that you do not intend to kill. When you are carrying the gun, you should either cradle the gun with the muzzle pointing at the ground or hold it so that it is facing into the air. Pay extra attention to your gun when you are walking over rough terrain, since that makes it more likely for the gun to bounce around and end up facing another person.

3- Use A Sling

Slings are the most important accessories for any rifle. In addition to making the gun more comfortable to carry and improving accuracy, they can make it safer. Keeping your rifle on a sling reduces the risk of it slipping out of your hands and causing problems. The added stability when shooting also means that you are less likely to miss your target and accidentally hit something else. While a sling cannot completely eliminate the risk of an accident, it does reduce it so much that every shooter should keep their rifle on a sling when they are out in the wilderness.

4- Maneuver With Care

Shooters often need to negotiate obstacles in the wilderness. For example, they may need to climb over or under a fence, cross a river, or even climb into a tree. Those are some of the most dangerous times to be carrying a rifle, since it is easy to drop it or suffer an accidental discharge. In general, it is best to set the gun down, get over the obstacle, and pick it up on the other side. Be sure to keep the muzzle pointed away from you at all times, even when you are not holding the gun!

5- Watch The Environment

Shooters need to be aware of their environment at all times. That is the most important tool for staying safe, and no other tricks or techniques can compensate for a lack of situational awareness.

Strive to know where you bullet is likely to go if you miss your shot. It will eventually hit something even if you miss, and you need to make sure that it won’t end up anywhere that will cause problems. In particular, you should avoid shooting towards any paths or other areas that attract other people, just in case somebody walks by when you are shooting. Ideally, you should also shoot while facing a hill, so that missed shots hit the ground quickly and harmlessly.

It is also important to investigate your target carefully before shooting. It is easy for hunters to mistake people or other animals for deer, and a mistaken shot can easily lead to tragedy. Always look twice before shooting, and never take a shot unless you are positive that you have identified the target properly.

7 Reasons to Wash Your Vehicle on a Regular Basis

If you are a driver who doesn’t really make a point to wash your car very often, you should know that you …

If you are a driver who doesn’t really make a point to wash your car very often, you should know that you are not alone. However, washing your vehicle regularly is important for a number of reasons. These are some of the reasons why you should consider making it a priority to wash your car more often.

1. Avoid Getting Dirty

First of all, you should think about keeping yourself and your clothing clean. If your car is dirty, then you might get your work clothes or your skin dirty when you are getting in and out of your car or if you casually lean against your vehicle. Keeping your car clean can help you prevent that from happening.

2. Feel Proud of What You Drive

Even though it’s not a good idea to buy a car that is more expensive than you can afford just as a status symbol, it’s true that you might care about what people think when they see your vehicle. If you keep your car nice and clean, you can feel more proud of what you drive, even if it’s not the luxury car that you dream of.

3. It Can Help You Enjoy Better Fuel Efficiency

Did you know that a car that is kept clean can actually be more efficient on fuel? Filth on your vehicle can actually decrease fuel efficiency by a whopping 10 percent, so if you would like to reduce how much you spend at the gas pump, consider washing your car more often. You might find that it will improve your fuel efficiency more than you think.

4. You Can Avoid Scratches

Even though it might seem inevitable that your vehicle will end up with some scratches on it as some point, this is probably something that you want to prevent. One thing that can cause scratches is dirt and debris that is left on your car and not washed off. Therefore, if you make an effort to wash your car more often, you might find that it’s actually less prone to scratches. This can help you keep your car looking nice and scratch-free a whole lot longer.

5. You Can Prevent Rust

Rust is another thing that you have to worry about as a car owner. It can be much worse than basic surface scratches, since you have to worry about the rust actually ruining your vehicle if you aren’t careful. Rust can happen from all sorts of things, including the rock salt that is often spread on the roads in the winter. If you wash your car regularly, however, you can help get rid of these things and help ensure that your car is kept in good condition and that it is rust-free for a long time to come.

6. You Can Prevent Uneven Fading

Fading is going to happen to your car no matter what. This is especially true if you park your car in the sun, since the sunlight can cause your paint job to fade. One way to prevent uneven fading is by washing your car regularly. Then, you can help get rid of bird droppings and other debris that can cause certain spots on your car to fade.

7. You Can Drive More Safely

Lastly, you might not really think of having a dirty car as being a safety issue, but the truth is that it can be. For example, if your windshield or windows are dirty, it’s that much more difficult for you to see what is going on around you when you are driving. Even if you aren’t concerned about the other things on this list, it’s a good idea to start washing your car more often if you are concerned about being a safe driver.

As you can see, there are many reasons why washing your vehicle on a regular basis is so important. For these reasons and more, now is a good time to make it a point to add washing your car to your schedule. Alternatively, you can also consider taking your car to a car wash or a car detailing shop to get the job done.