Spring 2020

Western Global offers flexible fuelling options

Last year, Western Global, the Bristol, UK-headquartered manufacturer of portable tanks and dispensing equipment for the storage and handling of fuels and lubricants, launched a new range of transportable fuel tanks designed with the demands of the aviation industry in mind

Western Global’s ranges of TransTank and TransCube fuel tanks offer a solution for aircraft, ground vehicles and support equipment fuelling for both stationery and mobile applications.

The TransTank series are large stationary containers, while TransCubes are smaller mobile tanks intended for just about any aviation fuelling requirement. Both product lines meet JIG (Joint Inspection Group) and UL (UL is a global safety certification company headquartered in, Illinois) standards, and are suitable for AVgas and Jet A fuels.

TransTanks range in volume from 3,017 gallons (11,420 litres) to 17,726 gallons (67,100 litres), and can be positioned close to airport aprons or helipads for refuelling. Western Global offers a wide variety of pumps and accessories for the various functions that each TransTank might be asked to perform. With their modular design, TransTanks can be linked together easily to provide unlimited storage capacity.

The TransCube Aviation Series offers a flexible mobile fueling option. These double-walled tanks range from 132 gallons (499 litres) to 1,242 gallons (4,700 litres) in volume. They are readily transportable and can be used for either stationary or mobile fuel supply. These tanks can also allow operators to keep bulk fuel strategically located on-site, enabling them to refuel equipment without waiting for fuel deliveries.

According to Western Global, both TransTanks and TransCubes are “built with safety, security and maintenance needs in mind”, and come with integrated weatherproof secondary containment, which eliminates the need for berms or basins.

“Innovation is at the forefront of what we do, and our aviation tanks are no different,” comments Barry Truan, general manager for Western Global’s North American facilities. “Like our other key industries – rental, construction, military, etc – we provide our aviation customers with safe, reliable and cost-effective fuelling solutions.

“Offering a collaborative series of products means more solutions for each customer’s operation,” Truan adds. “No matter the size of the aviation operation, we’re able to create an ideal fuel and fluid solution for users’ specific aviation needs. It’s part of our commitment to make fuel tanks for aviation easy and simple.”

Meeting customer demand

Michael Truan, Western Global’s regional sales manager – fuel channel, tells Airside that the company sells the TransTank and TransCube as part of its diesel and gasoline product portfolios, but that these are an additional offering, specifically developed for aviation.

“Like all of our products, the aviation series was developed in response to customer demand,” he explains. “Our global team of engineers considers customer requirements – along with global certifications and standards – to create a product that meets those needs.

“In other parts of the world, such as in developing countries, customers need easily deployable assets. Western Global is an ISO 9001-certified company, so our engineers go through many stages of design and testing to make sure the products are up to global standards.”

The aviation tanks have “been in the works for roughly two to three years, and were officially launched onto the market in April 2019”, Michael Truan says. And what really sets them apart from competitors is “the same USPs [unique selling points] and key characteristics of the traditional diesel and gas tanks in our offering.

“Western Global tanks are easy to ship and are delivered essentially as a complete tank, making them a simple choice for customers. They are aviation tanks made easy, with straightforward pumping systems that meet the needs of the customers, without compromising any regulatory approvals.”

Michael Truan continues: “Another thing that sets our tanks apart is the ‘over-certification’. Since we follow so many regulatory bodies’ standards, these tanks can be operated almost anywhere in the world.”

The new aviation series of products benefit from Western Global’s long experience in the fueling business. They represent “the [company’s] same overarching product – with some slight design tweaks – that we’ve had out in the field for 30+ years,” according to Michael Truan.

However, thehy are geared particularly towards regional or private airports, medical flight operations and emergency services. Larger airports tend to have a pipeline or large storage tanks. The TransTank and TransCube tanks are more suitable for smaller operations that lack the infrastructure for that sort of set-up and need a flexible option.

TRANSFERPOD: for seamless refuelling

Supporting the new products are Western Global’s TRANSFERPOD systems. These modules — which include pump and filter, direct to plane, truck load, and remote dispenser — can be used at any location to support a fuelling operation.

The standardised Western Global TRANSFERPOD aviation fuel modules simplify specification, procurement, maintenance and spare parts support. Their flexible, modular design enables operators to upscale easily in response to changing needs.

 

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