Knowing what kind of fuel your aircraft takes is basic pilot knowledge. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]
Key Takeaways:
Aircraft fueling mishaps, often deadly, commonly result from miscommunication between pilots and FBO staff regarding the specific fuel type required.
Pilots must proactively and explicitly state the precise fuel type (e.g., avgas, jet-A) and quantity, and verbally confirm this information with line technicians before refueling begins.
FBO personnel and technicians are responsible for verifying fuel placards and confirming the fuel type with pilots, refusing service if placards are unreadable or clear confirmation is not provided.
Misfueling an avgas aircraft with Jet-A is visually, by smell, or by color undetectable, can lead to fatal engine failure within seconds of takeoff, and aircraft nozzle designs are not a foolproof safety measure.
Knowing what kind of fuel your aircraft takes is basic pilot knowledge. Knowing how to communicate that information to the FBO and/or line service technicians that refuel it should also be.
But according to Keith Clark, a Phillips 66 senior quality control and technical representative, correct aircraft fueling doesn’t always happen—and often with disastrous and deadly results.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
![Knowing what kind of fuel your aircraft takes is basic pilot knowledge. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/self-fuel-scaled.jpeg)
