Approximately 230 people from 37 countries around the world attended the first annual Aviation Fuel Handling Training Symposium in Miami March 1 and 2 – with another 100 or so turned away due to space restrictions.
So the two-day event, hosted by Gammon Technical Products at the Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, will expand in the future to accommodate more people.
“I didn’t anticipate how much of a draw there would be,” said Jim Gammon, president at Gammon Technical Products, adding the event was created to serve as a networking and training opportunity rather than a revenue generator.
The Training Symposium came about after representatives from major manufactures and industry associations attended the Aviation Fueling Conference and requested a larger-scale event.
This first annual Training Symposium was supported entirely through sponsors, including Gammon, BETA Fueling Systems, Westmor Industries, PECOFacet, SkyMark Refuelers, Cla-Val, the National Petroleum Management Association (NPMA), Eaton, Liquid Controls, Parker Velcon, Garsite, Total Control Systems, Engine & Accessory, Meggitt, Hannay Reels, Veeder-Root, FAUDI Aviation, OCV Control Valves, ProFlo Industries, Conidia Bioscience, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Fuel Quality Services, World Fuel Services, Emcee Electronics, ECHA, Inspectorate, Hewitt, PEAR Corporation and the Energy Institute.
“The main thing is to give attendees names and faces to connect with standards and equipment,” said Gammon. “And the other is to give sponsors contact with customers.”
Attendees had an opportunity to gather information about the latest equipment and best practices surrounding the aviation fuel handling industry.
Additionally panels of industry experts discussed refueling accessories; the military sector; general refueling vehicle maintenance and design considerations; pressure and flow control systems; meters, automation, additive injection and additives; microbes remediation and storage tank maintenance; filters; receiving fuel, storage and contamination clean-up; electronic quality controls and sensors; system specifications and standards; airport system design and nozzle and control valve maintenance and repair.
There were also tables for companies to leave information, but a full exhibition was not held.
The 2018 Aviation Fuel Handling Training Symposium will be held in Los Angeles to make room for more attendees, and the event will be expanded to two and a half days.
A large turnout is expected as Gammon said he has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees and sponsors.
