The fuel nozzle shape was designed to prevent fueling of piston-powered
aircraft with Jet A, but I'm not sure whether or not a round 100 Low
Lead spout can be crammed into a jet tank. I suspect it can, and your
comment reinforces that opinion.
The truck damage problem is why our bunch uses two people, one under the
wing signalling to the driver where to place the truck. This truck,
with a platform sheltering the pump equipment and a ladder up the side,
makes access to the Caravan wing fairly easy. It's much, much better
than a step ladder!
Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA
On 8/17/2015 2:02 PM, Ken Norton wrote:
It probably would have added weight and cost.
The truck is equipped for that. You can see the nozzle in the photo.
No doubt it would have. Probably another 75 pounds, which is critical
in a plane like this. But as a workhorse with quick-turn schedules and
insanely frequent refuelings, it would have been a great feature to
have.
It would have addressed one of the greatest problems with the Caravan.
Wing damage from refueling trucks. Oh, and incorrect fuel type. It's
hard to believe, but AVGAS has been pumped into these beasts way too
many times. I don't understand how that mistake can be made, with
placards everywhere, but it does.
Still, I am so impressed with this airplane. When it first came out,
the freightdogs ridiculed it like crazy and compared it to the old
standards, such as the DC3 and the Beech 18. But Cessna designed it
well, and the operating costs (especially since it allowed for
single-pilot) and maintenance costs were low. Best of all, it was
about the perfect "right-size" in cargo/passenger/distance
configuration. For those 100-150 mile jaunts, it nailed it.
AG
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