How to use self-serve fuel facilities at the airport – Sporty's Private Pilot training tips

Self-serve fuel pumps are a convenient and cost-saving option for pilots, and they are increasingly common. There are a few things to know about these systems, though. In this tip, we explain how to use self-serve avgas pumps safely and efficiently, using a Cessna 172.

[smokingspitfire]

These videos that are "so basic that every pilot should know them" are extremely useful. Genuinely. Pilot's might be to proud or worried about being judged if they ask how to do things like this too late in their flight training. Being comfortable knowing how to do this stuff, knowing how to leave aircraft overnight at destination airports, knowing what to do after-hours at airports etc could even reduce get-there-itis accidents from pilots nervous to try something a new way.

[DISOPtv]

Few tips, chock the plane correctly, one piece in front and one in back, not both in front. If you use a ladder, fuel the passenger side first so you can see the ladder if you forget it out the pilot window - had to stop a guy getting ready to hit the ladder pulling out. Put fuel selector on left or right to prevent cross flow while one tank is fuller. Sump the tanks afterward. Pull out hose to end of wing on far side for approximate slack. And as the video suggested, check your caps before you climb back in. We had to fuel our own plane at the pilot school I went to, so they taught us how do do it. Each airport seems to have slightly different systems, signage isn't always great, so it's like a puzzle figuring it out sometimes, but they all tend to work the same, just have to find the buttons, etc.

[thejamer]

Great video. Can you do one about flying to your first overnight destination? Maybe comparing a full service FBO to a small airport with very few services.

[ryanpayne]

Having worked at a small field that did NOT offer full service fuel, I find it appalling that most pilots never learned how to fuel their own plane. Oh well, even though I was not supposed to do it, that did get me a $50 tip once (for a Moony.)

Its also worth noting that there's going to be a half gallon or so between the shutoff valve in the nozzle and the end of it. So let go of the handle a few seconds before its full- unless you want a 100LL shower.

Also, provided you don't smoke, 100LL is a great way of getting Jet A off cloths. I had to spot clean myself a few times after I splashed some on my shirt while doing QA; that stuff reeks.

[ImpendingJoker]

As a former safety instructor for a major FBO chain, let me put this out to ALL GA pilots. Even if the FBO pumps your fuel, make sure you pop those caps and verify visually that there is gas in the tanks. I can't tell you the number of times I filled C-152, 172, 182 and Pipers only to have the pilot come back to the plane kick out the chocks and fire up the plane without every looking into the tanks. Trust, but verify. Sure the FBO and line guy may take the ultimate blame but that will do you little good if you run out of fuel and kill yourself. The 3 most useless things in aviation are, Sky above you, runway behind you, and fuel on the ground. And, yes, I was a difficult taskmaster but my FBO branch always got the highest marks for safety and performance of any other branch in our district. I never told my guys to be perfect, only to be as good as they could be, and if something went wrong, to tell me INSTANTLY so that we could address it then and there, and heaven help them if I found out about it on my own. The two biggest killers in aviation are laziness and complacency, and I tolerated neither. The same went for our tug and bar tow moves, but that is for a different video.

[churchofseabass]

I applied for a refueling position at the airport so I guess this is a good video to watch

[firepilot]

I also carry a pair of gloves with me for this task for fuel on hands and handling the hose.

[Ellexis]

One thing you forgot: ALWAYS sump your tanks for water and / or debris AFTER fueling ANYWHERE!

[brendasays]

Ok…. 🙌🏽 Thank you for this informative information. I’m. flight attendant on her journey to becoming a pilot. 🍀🍀🍀 Any advice you can give me?

[Chris_at_Home]

Years ago there was a runway in Wasilla, Ak that we could taxi to a regular gas station and get fuel.

[speedomars]

Full serve fuel is for those that like to waste money or are lazy or both. Pull up to the self-serve, pull out the ground cable and attach it to your tailpipe. If you have a high wing USE A LADDER, never stand on the plane or strut...if you slip you will get hurt. Pull the hose out long and away from the plane, then walk to to the wing dragging the hose (do furthest wing from pump first). Then walk back to the nearest wing. Straighten the hose again and reel it in slowly so you do not damage the nozzle. Make sure to wipe around the fuel port on the plane with a clean rag to remove splats, spray or spills. Double check the replacement of the fuel caps.

[soviet_salsa]

Going from a private student to working at an FBO: there are alot of pilots that need to see this video, specifically 2fly pilots.

[TheXperior]

I'm not and most likely never will be a pilot, but I'm glad to know about the process of self fueling now anyways

[CarcoDev]

as someone who has no experience with flying planes, this sure is useful

[RTEDR]

I don’t owned a plane nor do I know how to fly them, it’s 1am now and I find this interesting lol

[thatguy]

Warning… sump tanks after fueling, even if you are just moving the plane to a parking spot.
You may suck water into the fuel lines that doesn’t show up until you are on your next take off roll.

[buttkickerburner]

FAA came out with a new advisory that the static ground line should not be connected to the exhaust pipe, or any metallic pat that’s painted over. We are now advised to connect it to part of the landing gear now. Something to keep in mind.

[ILGlocker]

Hmm..I don't have a plane. I don't know the last time I watched a plane video. But this video was recommenced....and I live very close to Dupage airport!

[KoScosss]

So does pump stop by itself or you have to turn it off?
In video it says it doesn't but dude lifts the hose off with no gas coming out.

[caturlifelive]

I'm still learning English, and sometimes it's hard to hear someone talking to me if they're speaking fast. However, I can easily understand what the narrator is saying in this video. What accent is this? is the usual american accent like this?