GROUND SERVICE PROVIDERS How FBOs Can Prevent Misfueling Photo courtesy of NBAA Having avoided catastrophe, industry groups are working diligently to ensure aviation fuel is not contaminated with diesel exhaust fluid. By Josh Smith P roviding clean, dry fuel to aircraft is perhaps the most important ground handling task performed by fixed base operators (FBOs). Being able to carry out this duty while reducing harmful emissions sounds like a win-win situation. However, when these two initiatives became inadvertently intertwined, the aviation industry narrowly avoided catastrophe. As a result, the general aviation community has come together to take steps that ensure future potential for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) contamination of aircraft fuel is mitigated. 26 GROUND SUPPORT WORLDWIDE FEBRUARY 2020 What is DEF? According to the Diesel Technology Forum, diesel-powered ground support equipment (GSE) began utilizing diesel emissions control systems more prevalently in 2014 in order to reduce emissions and improve air quality for ground service providers. These modern GSE units deploy Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems that allow the equipment to produce nearly zero emissions and meet emission standards put in place by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). John Fischer, an engine consultant based in