David K
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Plane fueling up at Gonzaga's Pemex!
Was looking over the Baja Bush Pilot's forums and saw this great post/ photo of a plane that taxied over from Rancho Grande's runway to Alfonsina's
Pemex to fuel up: http://www.bajabushpilots.com/yabbse/index.php?board=1;actio...
Also, he posted photos of the color of Magna and Premium.
San Felipe airport is less than 100 air miles away, I think pilots should try and use avgas always!
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thebajarunner
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David, as a long-time pilot I can assure you that if the plane has a low-compression engine that is rated for pump gas then that is totally acceptable
for use.
What is questionable is taking "premio" out of a "magna" pump and relying on the local rhetoric.
And, if he had a half tank of 100LL on board then either one would average out o.k.
San Felipe is 100 miles away, but North and he may have been headed South.
If he were Northbound then your suggestion is surely in order, but the nearest "for sure" gas Southbound could be Loreto.
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thebajarunner
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"How much harm?"
Well, the simple answer is that almost any gasoline engine that runs on octane that is too low is subject to pre-ignition, detonation and dieseling.
(remember the old days when you shut off your old hot rod and it kept running?)
Valves and pistons do not live happy lives when this occurs.
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David K
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It wasn't the octane issue, I was more concerned with the quality/ cleanliness of the auto fuel... Avgas is supposed to be super clean. A clogged jet
or injector is a bit worse at 10,000' then on the highway, where one can just pull over if the engine dies.
I have used avgas in my vehicles when the local Pemex was out... Works like a charm in a car!
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Cap
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I have been using auto fuel for over a decade. I can say with absolute certainty that as long as you're airframe and motor have the appropriate STC
completed, you will have no problems. Some low keyed early aviation engines actually run better on lower octane fuels ( mine) that don't lead up the
plugs so much. If you have any doubt : I flew one lycoming engine over 3500 hours on a diet of 75% auto fuel. It was still running fine when I
overhauled it. Auto fuel is approved by the FAA even in commercial use. Anyone that has had any dealings with the FAA will tell you that is truly an
endorsement. I know of a part 135 operator that has 10's of thousands of fleet hours on auto fuel mix, and a reliability record that can not be argued
with. You can get on the web site for Peterson aviation out of Minden Kansas that will list all of the available STC's.
Fly low, land on roads.
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David K
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What is/are STC's, Cap? Thanks!
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ncampion
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Just a side note about the color of Mexico gas. The low octane gas is colored with dye, the good stuff is clear. Reason is, if low octane was clear,
you could take some low octane, put some dye in it and sell it as high octane. Dosen't work the other way around. Makes sense to me.
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bajalou
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What color? I buy lots of Magna in cans and pour it into other cans and generators etc. and the color looks the same as gas in the US to me.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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fishbuck
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
What is/are STC's, Cap? Thanks! |
I think it means Supplimental Type Certificate. It's required for any changes to a plane from the factory specs.
Almost all Cessna 172's are STC'd for auto fuel with no modification. Just the paperwork.
I know because I looked it up so I could use auto fuel to get home for Shari's in Asencion.
The idea is to filter it before putting it into the plane just in case. I guess you could use coffee filters or paint filters.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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pacificobob
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auto gas stc
ive havent put av gas in my cessna 180 but 3 or 4 times in the last 20 years.....runs like a top....as has been said, most carburated low compression
a/c engines can get an stc to use auto fuel.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by fishbuck
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
What is/are STC's, Cap? Thanks! |
I think it means Supplimental Type Certificate. It's required for any changes to a plane from the factory specs.
Almost all Cessna 172's are STC'd for auto fuel with no modification. Just the paperwork.
I know because I looked it up so I could use auto fuel to get home for Shari's in Asencion.
The idea is to filter it before putting it into the plane just in case. I guess you could use coffee filters or paint filters.
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Thanks for the reply...
How was the runway at Asuncion for you? Capt. Mike is talking about flying his Piper in, and he likes his dirt strips nice and solid, like
Serenidad's!
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