TALESPINNERS - January, 2003
Are You Watching Your
Alcohol Consumption?
by Lee Jewell
Attention all you intrepid aviators out there who are
using auto gas to motivate your airplanes, courtesy of EAA's Auto Gas STC!
Are you sure of the gas you're using? Are you checking it
frequently, or at all, for the presence of alcohol? You do know,
don't you, that the STC requires that the gas have no alcohol in it?
During a recent visit to an Ohio airport that sells auto gas, I became
involved in a discussion with the gentleman who runs the FBO. I
asked what brand of auto gas he sold and he told me. I said I had
been using Shell gas and he told me that Shell now contains alcohol.
I reported that every time I tested the gas it showed no signs of the
dreaded stuff. I decided to do a little research.
When I arrived home I began making telephone calls. The FBO had said
that Citgo and Marathon gas contain no alcohol so I called a service
station operator that I have dealt with and asked if his Citgo gas
contains alcohol. I was informed that his 7 year agreement to sell
Citgo gas specifically states in the contract that their gas will contain
NO ALCOHOL.
Next I called the Marathon plant on River Road in Cincinnati and asked the
big question. The plant manager told me that if a gas station
displays the Marathon sign the gas will NOT contain alcohol.
However, Marathon has several companies that operate under different
names, such as Speedway and Super America. These two companies DO
include alcohol in their gas, so DO NOT use their products in your
airplane.
I then contacted Shell Oil Co. After being transferred around
several times, one gentleman said he knew who could answer my question.
The next man told me that, as formulated for sale in Ohio, Shell gas DOES
NOT CONTAIN ALCOHOL. He then asked why I was concerned about alcohol
content in gas. When I said I could legally use it in my airplane if
there was no alcohol in it, his voice rose and he quickly stated that
Shell gas is not formulated for use in airplanes. I replied that I
knew this, but the only thing I needed answered was "Yes, there is
alcohol", or "No, there is no alcohol". At this point he calmed down
and reiterated that if a Shell station purchases its gas supply from an
Ohio-based jobber, there would be NO alcohol in Shell's regular gas.
HOWEVER, he went on to say that right across the river in Kentucky, three
counties have rules that gasolines MUST have alcohol in their composition.
THEREFORE, if a Cincinnati gas station buys its gas from a jobber in
Kentucky, it very well MAY have alcohol in it.
Let the buyer beware!!!!
The Shell Oil expert told me the simplest and best test for alcohol is to
fill a measured beaker with nine (9) parts of gas and one (1) part water,
then shake the contents. If there is alcohol present it will not mix
with the gas, but will mix with the water. The water will show about
a 50% increase in volume and will be easily discernable. I replied
that I knew that test but was told to use 10 parts of gas to 1 part water.
The Shell man said the different numbers were not crucial and the results
would still be the same.
The moral here is: Know your gas supplier. Find out where he
purchases his gasoline. Test the gas you use frequently for alcohol.
Don't take chances: Your life, and those of your passengers are at stake!
Attention Tube and Rag
Builders!
by Mike Griffith
In connection with the Buckeye Chapter of the Short
Wing Piper Club, we have the opportunity to learn first hand the covering
system developed by Stits. If you're interested please let me know,
as the number is limited and we will also be inviting other EAA groups to
attend the workshop.
The cost for this two-day workshop is $200.00 a person
with part of the money being donated to the Buckeye Chapter of the SWPC
and EAA Chapter 174. I have received 5 reservations so far, 1
from SWPC Member and 4 from dual members of EAA 174 and SWPC. I
expect we will fill the roster with the minimum of 16 people, but we can
handle up to 30 people, so get your checks in and reserve your spot.
Details on location will be confirmed next month for
either Hook Field in Middletown, OH or Waco Field in Troy, OH.
[Note: After publication of the newsletter, it was determined that the
site would be Waco Field.] ...web editor
Applications are available on the EAA 174 web site and
need to be sent to Mike Griffith with your check to reserve your spot.
For additional information or forms, call Mike @ 231-3003.
Click
here for more details and Application Form!
More Photos from the Christmas
Party
Full view of everyone at the annual Christmas Party
in the Hawk building at Clermont County
photo: Norm Beaudette
Bob Porter acting as MC with installation of Officers for 2003.
From right to left: Tom Jenkins, V.P., Lee Jewell, Secretary,
Dave Robertson, Treasurer and Tim Fry, President
photo: Tom Volz
Paul Gould and a table full of awards for his Aeronca Chief 11AC
photo: Tom Volz
Everyone heading for the food tables, which this year
was a splendid spread with plenty of food
photo: Tom Volz
