Behind the scenes: How does Q8Aviation contribute to global aviation fuel safety
More than 105,000 commercial flights take off around the world every day, and because of the strict safety and quality control requirements concerning aircraft refueling, getting every detail right is critical. Behind every safe flight is a network of global standards, technical guidance and inspection systems that help ensure aviation fuel is handled consistently and safely at every stage of the supply chain.
Two international organisations, the Energy Institute (EI) and the Joint Inspection Group (JIG), play a central role in developing aviation fuel standards and recommended practices.
Through these standards and recommended practices, inspection systems and technical guidance, EI and JIG help fuel suppliers, airport operators and airline partners work to consistent safety and quality expectations every day. We contribute to this wider industry effort through the expertise of our Q8Aviation fuel specialists who give their time to EI, JIG and other industry bodies.
This contribution reinforces Q8Aviation’s reputation as a trusted, responsible and knowledgeable industry partner. In the conversation below, Nic Mason, our Technical Services Director, explains the role of industry bodies, how Q8Aviation contributes to their work, and why collaboration remains critical.
Q&A with Nic Mason
How does Q8Aviation’s involvement help keep aviation fuel supply safe and reliable for airlines and airports?
Nic Mason: Historically, oil companies operated their own infrastructures using in house standards. The move towards joint ventures and third party owned and operated facilities as well as transportation modes across the supply chain makes it important that we have a common set of Standards and Recommended Practices to ensure safe and efficient operations.
This is increasingly important as aviation fuel supply chains become more complex combined with an increasing number of less integrated oil companies involved.
For colleagues who may not be familiar with it, what is JIG and why is it so important to the aviation fuel industry?
Nic Mason: The Joint Inspection Group (JIG) develops and maintains standards for the safe handling, quality control, storage, distribution and aircraft refueling of aviation fuels. It was established in the early 1970s by major aviation fuel suppliers to create common operating standards for jointly operated airport fuel facilities and a cooperative inspection programme.
Q8Aviation is one of JIG’s seven Guarantor Members. Guarantor Members are the founding companies that provide governance and oversight of the Joint Inspection Group.
What is the Energy Institute and what is its role in the aviation fuel industry?
Nic Mason: The Energy Institute (EI) is the chartered professional body for the energy industry and one of the world’s leading developers of aviation fuel standards and good practice guidance. Its role in aviation is to develop technical standards, research, training, and industry guidance that support the safe handling, quality assurance, storage, distribution, and refueling of aviation fuels.
The aviation fuel supply chain continues to evolve. What are some of the biggest changes or challenges that industry standards need to respond to?
Nic Mason: The introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuels continues to present new challenges in established supply chains. The EI 1533 publication, Quality Assurance Requirements for Semi-Synthetic Jet Fuel and Synthetic Blending Components, provides essential requirements to ensure these new activities are carried out correctly.
Who else from Q8Aviation is involved, and what is their contribution?
Nic Mason: In the case of JIG, I am a Director sitting on JIG Council and we are members of all of their Work Groups and Committees. Robert Finch is currently Chairperson of the Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) Committee. Bill Simpson is our representative on the JIG Operations Committee, Paul Carmody is a member of the JIG Standards Working Group, Andy Chandler participates on the JIG Filtration Working Group, Mark Workman sits on the JIG Governance Committee and Magalie Rungasamy the JIG Legal Working Group.
Regarding EI, we are members of the Supply Chain Product Quality Committee, Filtration Committee, Operations Committee, Aviation Committee and I am the Chairperson of the Equipment Sub Committee.
Much of this work is done voluntarily or alongside colleagues’ day-to-day roles. Why do people give their time to it?
Nic Mason: Both organisations are heavily reliant on contributions from member companies. Q8Aviation maintains a team of technical experts, and it is very much in our interest, and in the interest of aviation safety, to participate in the leadership of these groups. These roles are in addition to our daily activities, but we believe our involvement is essential to the aviation industry as a whole and ultimately strengthens our reputation with the customers and airports we serve.