- Partner With Air BP
By FLTLT Jeff Nicholson, Flight Commander, Motor Transport
Royal New Zealand Air Force, Aviation Refuellers (AVRFLRs) are benefiting from a partnership initiative last year between the New Zealand Defence Force and Air BP.
Leading Aircraftsman Joel Genefaas and Aircraftsman Cat Webster from Base Auckland were the first two Aviation Refuellers (AVRFLRs) to be selected to take part in a six–week trial working alongside their civilian counterparts at Auckland airport. The concept was initially discussed with Air BP as part of the Technical Services Agreement, with both parties in agreement that this would serve as an excellent platform to cement relationships and align working practices with industry.
The six–week intensive training programme included:
- induction into the Air BP refuelling six-week cycle shift pattern and aircraft operations
- safety and familiarisation of the Joint User Hydrant Installation yard and Tank Farm
- over-wing, pressure and hydrant refuelling of both domestic and international passenger and freight aircraft
- refuelling light jet aircraft on domestic routes, then progressing through to larger jet aircraft on international routes
- filter changes and hydrant maintenance
- Millipore tests
- fuel spillages and disaster plans
- Fuel Quality Control
- stock management utilising computer based telemetry and electronic valves, and
- general fuel administration and accounting.
On completion of the programme, the final shift allowed for Air BP’s Operations Manager— Mr Paul Beer—to observe and test the individuals and sign off their competency, once all objectives had been successfully met.
The results of the trial can be measured in a variety of ways, but ultimately its value is seen in time, with over 550 refuels achieved on a variety of different aircraft within just six-weeks. Given the RNZAF workload, this amount of experience would normally take years to achieve. Also, being exposed to a diverse, modern infrastructure with computer-based telemetry and a hydrant refuelling system could prove beneficial with any future operational detachments.
Since the initial two RNZAF personnel underwent training, a cross-section of AVRFLR’s from all Bases have completed the six-week training. The concept has now advanced to the stage where Corporal Terry Scelly—one of our refuelling instructors—has now completed the training, while concurrently undergoing a comparison of our training syllabus. Everyone involved has benefited from this valuable experience.
In conclusion, the six-week trial was a huge success from both an RNZAF and a contract relationship perspective. It enabled staff to gain a vast amount of refuelling experience, over a short time-frame in a controlled, supervised environment. Both parties gained from the experience and Air BP Operations Manager, Mike Henderson—who was extremely helpful throughout—is keen to ensure that the relationship continues.
Aircraft worked on during the trial programme
- Airbus A320—200
- Airbus A340—200
- Airbus A340—300
- Beech 1900
- Beechcraft Super King Air 200
- Beechcraft Super King Air 300
- Boeing 727—200
- Boeing 737—200
- Boeing 737—400
- Boeing 737—600
- Boeing 737—800
- Boeing 747—200C
- Boeing 747—400
- Boeing 767—300
- Boeing 767—400ER
- Boeing 777
- Bombardier Q300 Dash 8
- Convair CV—580
- Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner
- Fokker F—27