RED BLUFF — The Red Bluff Airport has run out of standard aviation fuel, and it’s not the only one.
Airports around the state have been struggling to replenish fuel supplies, particularly for what is called avgas, which is used on standard and commercial planes.
While there have been nationwide aircraft fuel shortages, according to Airport Manager Scott Miller, the issue is less about supply and more about lack of employees. The job crisis seems to have bled into the aviation industry.
“All the reports we got say it’s not so much lack of fuel or supply of fuel,” Miller said. “It’s the drivers supplying the fuel.”
Aviation fuel requires dedicated drivers and trucks due to the temperamental nature of the material.
Miller said a single gallon of jet fuel being mixed with the avgas can dramatically lower the fuel octane that is required for the aircraft that need it.
“This situation is up and down the state, it’s difficult to get fuel for aviation,” Miller said.
Miller said the Oroville Airport had a similar situation in the last week and the airfield in Redding still has no fuel since it ran out.
So far, residents have had to cancel flights and some individuals have been unable to fly their planes out of the airport because their tanks are empty.
While Miller and others have been working with other airports to order and split fuel deliveries, it could still be some time before the shipments come.
“Before, we used to be able to order fuel and get deliveries the next day,” Miller said. “Now, it went from a week away, to 10 days to, now, 17-plus days. Right now we’re looking at Aug. 3.”
When the airport does receive the fuel, it will likely have to split it with another airport.
Miller said the Red Bluff Airport, as of Thursday, is completely out of avgas and has only 12,000 gallons of Jet A fuel, which is used for attack vehicles, helicopters and larger aircraft. Some of the Jet A fuel was used Tuesday night for an air ambulance.
Carden Aircraft Services Director of Maintenance Gary Walker said the company would be taking a hit from the lack of gas for aircraft.
“Financially, the lack of fuel sales hurts,” Walker said. “That and the frustration of not being able to serve our customers.”
Walker said this is the first time he’s seen a shortage like this in his career. He is one of the people aiding Miller in contacting other airport managers to set up deliveries.
“We’re not just sitting and waiting for it to happen,” Walker said. “We’re trying to actively solve the problem.”
Miller explained that the timing is a hazard in itself. The state is in the middle of fire season with wildfires popping up in various counties such as the large Dixie Fire in Butte County.
A lack of aircraft fuel could be detrimental to firefighting efforts.
Red Bluff Fire Captain Ray Barber said it would be a concern to his department if for any reason an airbase was needed at the airport.
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July 23, 2021 at 05:15PM
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Red Bluff airport runs out of fuel - Red Bluff Daily News
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