On-Site Refueling

by William E, Davis
Editor's note: A recent, unofficial
survey o f hospital-based helicopter
programs showed that about one-fourth
o f such programs have installed
helicopter fueling systems at or near the
sponsor hospital. Why have hospitals
gone to the expense and regulatory
hassle to enter the fueling business? Bill
Davis, a New Jersey based heliport
consultant addresses this timely subject
for Hospital Aviation.

Hospitals having a full time

helicopter program should consider
on-site refueling for two reasons:
substantial savings in (1) time, and
(2) money. Without on-site
refueling, the helicopter must
make a separate trip to and from
the local airport every time fuel is
required - usually after every
flight. While it is true the
helicopter can stop off at the The helipad at University Hospital in Louisville, K Y f e a t u r e s a
airport on its return trip to the parking a p r o n f o r a s e c o n d helicopter (lower center) a n d on-site
hospital, it can do so only if a refueling (upper leh). A 10,000 gallon tank Is buried underground.
patient is not on board.
If refueling is available at the
hospital, however, these
unnecessary trips to the airport are
eliminated which, in turn,
eliminates the considerable expense
associated with (I) engine starts
and battery cycles, (2) flight time
on the helicopter, (3) lost revenue
flights, and (4) high cost of fuel at
the airport.

Economics
The most important
consideration in determining the
economic feasibility of on-site
refueling is the high cost of fuel at
the airport. State and federal taxes
as well as markup by the airport
operator often amount to 50 cents
per gallon or more, most of which
can be avoided by installing on-site
refueling. Installation of an on-site A standard, skid-mounted pump unit contains the fuel pump, filter
refueling facility ranges in cost unit, meter, and hose reel. Various configurations a r e available from
from $20,000 to $30,000 for a local or regional manufacturers.
state-of-the-art facility serving a
ground level heliport. The same one year or less (depending upon floating suction, and an above
facility serving a r o o f t o p heliport the helicopter model and distance ground pump with filter/separator
will have an additional installation to the airport). For a rooftop • system, meter, hose, and cabinet.
cost ranging from $10,000 to installation, the pay-back period The storage tank must have a
$15,000. will be less than two years. capacity of 10,000 gallons in order
For a ground level heliport, the A state-of-the-art refueling that a full 9,000 gallon trailerload
pay-back period for a hospital with facility includes an underground of fuel can be ordered from the
a single full time helicopter will be 10,000 gallon fuel storage tank with refinery at a bulk purchase rate.
8 HOSPITALAVIATION, DECEMBER 1982