Aviation fuel identification, fueling safety and fire classes

Ground operations questions favor the rules that prevent the worst accidents on a ramp: putting the wrong fuel in an engine, a static spark at the filler neck, and the wrong extinguisher on a burning magnesium wheel.

Questions and answers, explained

All 8 questions above, with the correct answer and why it is correct. Everything here is on aviation fuel identification, fueling safety and fire classes.

1. A fire involving spilled jet fuel and hydraulic fluid on the hangar floor is classified as

   • AClass A
   • BClass BCorrect
   • CClass C
   • DClass D

   Why: Class B fires involve flammable petroleum products and other flammable liquids, greases, solvents and paints. Class A is ordinary combustibles, Class C is energized electrical equipment, and Class D is flammable metal.

   Reference AM.I.F.K6 · FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 1 (Classification of Fires)

2. A magnesium wheel catches fire after a hard braking event. Which extinguishing agents must NOT be used on it?

   • ADry powder agents made for metal fires
   • BAny agent approved by the airport fire department
   • CWater and carbon dioxide (CO2)Correct
   • DSand, if no extinguisher is available

   Why: Burning magnesium is a Class D fire. The handbook says never use water or CO2 on Class D fires: their cooling effect on the extremely hot metal can cause explosive expansion. Use a dry powder agent intended for metal fires.

   Reference AM.I.F.K6 · FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 1 (Types and Operation of Shop and Flight Line Fire Extinguishers)

3. Why must extreme caution be used when discharging a CO2 extinguisher in a closed or confined area?

   • AThe CO2 can deprive the operator of oxygen tooCorrect
   • BCO2 becomes flammable when it warms up
   • CCO2 leaves a corrosive residue on the walls
   • DThe extinguisher needs outside air to operate

   Why: CO2 smothers a fire by displacing oxygen, and the handbook warns that in a closed space it can deprive the operator of oxygen as well. The extinguisher also gets extremely cold, so protection against frostbite is needed.

   Reference AM.I.F.K6 · FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 1 (Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers)

4. Grade 100LL aviation gasoline is identified by which color?

   • AGreen
   • BRed
   • CPurple
   • DBlueCorrect

   Why: The handbook's AVGAS color code: 80 is red, 100 is green, 100LL is blue and 115 is purple. The fuel's color should match the color band on the piping and fueling equipment.

   Reference AM.I.F.K9 · FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 1 (Figure 1-31, Aviation Gasoline Color and Grade Reference)

5. How is jet fuel identified on piping and fueling equipment?

   • ABy a blue band, matching the fuel's dye
   • BBy the color blackCorrect
   • CBy a red band with the word KEROSENE
   • DBy a purple band, the same as grade 115

   Why: The handbook: jet fuel is identified by the color black on piping and fueling equipment, while the fuel itself is clear or straw colored. Jet A and Jet A-1 are kerosene; Jet B is a blend of kerosene and AVGAS.

   Reference AM.I.F.K9 · FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 1 (Fuel Servicing of Aircraft)

6. When refueling from a fuel truck, in what order are the static grounds made?

   • AOpen the tank, insert the nozzle, then ground the truck
   • BGround only the nozzle; the tires ground the aircraft
   • CGround the truck to the propeller, then start fueling
   • DAircraft, then truck, bond them, then nozzle to aircraft before opening the tankCorrect

   Why: The handbook's sequence: ground the aircraft, then the truck, then bond them together, then ground the nozzle to the aircraft before opening the fuel tank. Grounds go on bare metal, and never on the propeller, which has no positive bond to the airframe.

   Reference AM.I.F.K3 · FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 1 (Procedures for Fueling)

7. Per the FAA handbook, an aircraft should not be fueled within what distance of operating ground radar?

   • A100 feet
   • B50 feet
   • C500 feetCorrect
   • D1,000 feet

   Why: The handbook's fueling precautions include not fueling an aircraft within 500 feet of operating ground radar, whose energy can ignite fuel vapors.

   Reference AM.I.F.K3 · FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 1 (Procedures for Fueling)

8. During any engine start, the handbook calls for a fireguard to be standing by with

   • Aa garden hose connected to the hangar supply
   • Ba bucket of sand and a fire blanket
   • Ca foam extinguisher of any size
   • Da CO2 extinguisher of at least 5-pound capacityCorrect

   Why: A fireguard familiar with the starting procedure stands by with a CO2 extinguisher of at least 5-pound capacity, positioned beside the outboard side of the engine in view of the operator, ready to direct CO2 into the intake in case of an induction fire.

   Reference AM.I.F.K5 · FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 1 (Starting Engines)

Drill the whole domain

• Ground Operations and Servicing (9%)

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