Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil.
I recently received a question from reader Bill Blank asking whether there was more BTUs in higher octane fuels and if there was any reason to use a higher octane fuel if a vehicle ran knock free on a lower octane fuel. The simple answer is no.
I have received this question many times and the concept of more is always better is very ingrained in our minds. [Read more...]
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil.
In one of my past columns, I criticized the ethanol industry and others for using “bad science” to promote their products. I received several emails from readers who felt that I was off base because, they said, the Wright brothers were just bicycle mechanics — not scientists — who discovered controlled flight. Let me share with you a little history about Orville and Wilbur. The Wright brothers were two of the top aeronautical scientists of their day who just happened to run a bicycle shop to pay for their research. [Read more...]
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. He has been a private pilot since 1985.
Reader Jerry Johnson recently wrote in with a question about fuel storage: “Rotax indicates that octane ratings degrade rapidly and significantly with storage. If so, wouldn’t storage for a matter of weeks render the fuel dangerous to use in aircraft?”
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. He has been a private pilot since 1985.
How do you test for ethanol in auto gas?
Recently, I’ve received a lot of e-mails from people who want to know exactly how much the water phase volume will change in the test, and whether they can mix water with the bulk fuel and remove the ethanol to make the auto gas safe for their aircraft.
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. He has been a private pilot since 1985.
I recently received a note from reader Scott Shroyer, who is looking to buy a used Cessna 182 with an auto gas STC. He wants to know if it is worth his time to buy the 182 “in hopes of finding auto gas at an airport to fill it up?”
A lot depends on which state Scott lives in as to the availability of auto gas without ethanol. I then forwarded his question to Todd Petersen of Petersen Aviation, who has sold more than 34,000 mogas STCs worldwide since 1983.
Scott’s question raised several questions in my mind. First, is it worth considering the fuel requirement of an engine in the purchase of an aircraft? I would say that it does at this time.
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. He has been a private pilot since 1985.
In my last post, How long can fuel be safely stored?, I talked about the storage life of aviation and automotive fuels. Reader Steve Phillips asked, “I would love to hear the same facts and cautions about Jet A. [Read more...]
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. He has been a private pilot since 1985.
Asking about the storage life of 100LL and auto gas is like asking a doctor, “How old will I live to be?”
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil.
In a recent post I discussed the problems with ethanol and water in a plane’s fuel system. I received a large number of replies and most were very positive. However, I did get a number of negative notes. For example, one reader wrote: “Ben Visser, go argue with your wife to get your stupid little victory! I’ve been using ethanol mogas for over 20 years without a drop of water showing up…You’d make a great corrupt politician.”
Two problems here: First is that this guy is definitely not married, because if he were he would know that you never win an argument with your wife. You only think you are ahead sometimes, but you never truly win. The other problem is poor logic. [Read more...]
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. He has been a private pilot since 1985.
Fuel is an item that is very important for the proper operation of our aircraft. Even though the world is full of “fuel experts,” it is still a bit of a mystery.
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. He has been a private pilot since 1985.
The most common question I get concerning unleaded avgas is, “why all of the controversy?”
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. He has been a private pilot since 1985.
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