The danger of plastic cans is very real. I had an article about a plane that was lost due to static discharge during a fueling incident using a plastic can, but I can't lay my hands on it right now.
Anyone who has used a shop vac with a plastic hose has felt the hairs on his arm stand up when the hose passes close by. This is the same effect. The fuel running out the plastic spout can generate a serious static charge, but the real issue is when the plane's tank and the can are at different potentials prior to touching. Now you're touching the can's spout to the tank filler neck and the spark, if any, will be in just the right place to light the vapors above the filler neck. The solution is to ground the can to the airframe away from the spout and filler neck. A ground point can be made by attaching a wire to the upper (above the fuel level) part of the can with a big aluminum pop rivet and backing washer. The logistics are left as an exercise for the student. Attach the ground to the airframe, or the tank if it's a plastic tank, away from any vapors, then pour away. When filling the can, remember, the pump is grounded to the earth. Put the can on the ground first; problem solved. John Cooper Skyport Services 518 797-3064 www.skyportservices.net _____
