Airline Pilot Forums

A buddy and I were arguing about whether or not it is legal to fly with extra gas in the cargo compartment of your aircraft (properly stored and ventilated, if that makes a difference). Makes economic sense but is it legal? and Can you supply or point to the regulations that are against this practice... A FAR search has turned up no specifics, but I know it's in there somewhere.

Thanks!

My guess is that it's OK in 91. You would not want fuel vapors in the cabin, so you would not want vented gas cans (if they even exist). You would need a can which can withstand the differential pressure at altitude.

HAZMAT rules limit what you can carry on pax and 121 cargo flights, I'm not sure if they apply to 91 but you could start there. Full gas cans would be no-go HAZMAT in 121, so that might apply to 91 also.

I don't know of anything in the GA FARs that limits what you carry.

A FAR search has turned up no specifics, but I know it's in there somewhere.Not necessarily. The FARs might say nothing about it but the regulations of other agencies might apply.

Don't make the common mistake of thinking that the FARs are the only place that has rules regarding aircraft. For example, can you find the FAR that talks about when you need a radio operator license?

As Rick said, you should probably move your search to the Hazmat or other regs that deal with transportation of hazardous materials.

A buddy and I were arguing about whether or not it is legal to fly with extra gas in the cargo compartment of your aircraft (properly stored and ventilated, if that makes a difference). Makes economic sense but is it legal? and Can you supply or point to the regulations that are against this practice... A FAR search has turned up no specifics, but I know it's in there somewhere.

Thanks!

Title 49 CFR Part 175 - Hazardous Materials: Carriage By Aircraft

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=714dc24d10b13945cbd4ac3be0f97cc6&rgn=div5&view=text&node=49:2.1.1.3.10&idno=49#49:2.1.1.3.10.3.25.1)

(a) When other means of transportation are impracticable, flammable liquid fuels may be carried on certain passenger and cargo aircraft as provided in this section...

For purposes of this section “impracticable” means transportation is not physically possible or cannot be performed by routine and frequent means of other transportation, due to extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances include: conditions precluding highway or water transportation, such as a frozen vessel route; road closures due to catastrophic weather or volcanic activity; or a declared state of emergency. The desire for expedience of a shipper, carrier, or consignor, is not relevant in determining whether other means of transportation are impracticable.

(b) A small passenger-carrying aircraft operated entirely within the State of Alaska or into a remote area, in other than scheduled passenger operations, may carry up to 76 L (20 gallons) of flammable liquid fuel when: (1) The flight is necessary to meet the needs of a passenger

(c) Flammable liquid fuels may be carried on a cargo aircraft, subject to the following conditions: ...

(d) The following restrictions apply to loading, handling, or carrying fuel under the provisions of this section: ...

(e) Operators must comply with the following: (1) If the aircraft is being operated by a holder of a certificate issued under 14 CFR part 121 or part 135, operations must be conducted in accordance with conditions and limitations specified in the certificate holder's operations specifications or operations manual accepted by the FAA. If the aircraft is being operated under 14 CFR part 91, operations must be conducted in accordance with an operations plan accepted and acknowledged in writing by the FAA Principal Operations Inspector assigned to the operator.

Which is why you see Jim Tweto stick four cans in the back of his 180. In Alaska you
can also fly over gross under certain ops.