Frequently Asked Questions
Below are questions we get about fuel sampling in general. This section is always under construction as we get new, pertinent questions. If you don't find an answer here, you can ask your question by sending us an email at contact@aerosample.com
We're still building this page. I you don't see what you wonder about, please check back later and feel free to send us your questions.
If a plane I fly has more than a few sump points, do I have to test them all every time before I take off?
It’s always best to follow the aircraft manufacturers recommendations or requirements for sampling and testing the fuel. They put them there for good reasons and if there is ever a problem that gets investigated and all the test points were not checked, the findings will always include pilot error and depending on causes the FAA will have something to say to, or take some kind of action against, the pilot in command.
Does the GATS Jar have a certification document, MSDS sheet or STC approval? The United States FAR's classify fuel testers as a pilot accessory and is therefore, not required to comply with any specific regulations. Consequently, we do not supply any manufacturing data or any compliance documentation.
Does the lid come off the GATS Jar?
Yes. The Jar and lid have threads, so the Separator screws onto the Collection Jar. Over time, with use, the O-ring seal can become stuck between the Jar and the inside surface of the Separator making it difficult to unscrew them. It can be done however, just hold the jar close to the Separator and twist - hard.
With what fuels will the GATS Jar work?
The GATS Jar will work with any pure petroleum distillate fuel. These include: Auto Gas, AVGAS, Jet Fuel, and Diesel. However, the GATS Jar Fuel Tester is not designed nor intended to be used with Ethanol infused fuels.
Why did my collection jar collapse?
This is a rare occurrence and we have no simple answer. The Collection Jar is made of P.E.T. plastic and is usually unaffected by normally encountered conditions. We have no direct cause, but it could be a combination of contributing factors. It's best to keep the tester out of high temperature locations, or not stored where there is outside pressure on the jar like pinched between the seat back and the elastic top of the seat pouch, or stored with a small amount of fuel inside in a warm, tightly closed location. Another possibility could be some fuel additives included in the fuel by regional refineries for seasonal changes in their fuel formulation may be attacking the plastic's integrity. We do replace these jars as a materials defect.
What does it mean if some water globules dribble through the Separator screen?
Put simply, you either have not dried the screen before trying to use it to separate commingled fuel and water, you might be pouring the fuel through the screen with too much force, a combination of the two, the screen material may have been contaminated with some kind of organic substance or you are trying to separate a fuel containing ethanol. If the screen has been wiped clear, this can happen by trying to pour the fuel back too quickly and tipping the tester too far. The GATS jar, and every other separating fuel tester made, relies on the surface tension difference between fuel and water. This physical characteristic is reliable, but can be overwhelmed if the separating is not done slowly with as little head pressure as possible. If any of these conditions exist, a thorough cleaning is recommended.
Why did my lid crack?
If the tester has not been thrown violently down, run over, or stepped on, it can happen that internal stresses from the injection molding process may cause a Separator to split along an undetectable weakness path. We always cover this as a materials failure.
What do I do if I lost my instructions?
Instruction sheets can be downloaded under the "How to best use the GATS Jar" heading above.
Is the GATS Jar made in America?
Yes. We can't vouch for all the raw plastic or original source of the stainless steel, but as far as all the tester manufacturing, the GATS Jar is completely made in the U.S.A.