China's first unmanned smart general aviation fueling station was put into use in Shanghai Gaodong Heliport, demonstrating China National Aviation Fuel Group Limited's (CNAF) improved ability to ensure general aviation fuel supply.
China's first unmanned smart general aviation fueling station is put into use in Shanghai. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
In recent years, China's general aviation industry has developed rapidly. However, due to the characteristics of general airports and aviation customers, being scattered, small and remote, the fuel supply guarantee for general aviation faces many challenges.
CNAF made innovative breakthroughs in several "stranglehold" technologies last year and successfully developed the first unmanned smart general aviation refueling station in China.
The company not only drew on the operational support experience of international mature general aviation markets, but also combined the actual conditions of domestic general aviation airports and customers in the development of the service station. It has completed a set of system solutions – a new intelligent, information-based and digital refueling guarantee model, which can adapt to all scenarios and extreme environments to guarantee fuel supply in general aviation.
Featuring safety, cost-effectiveness, and convenience, the new device will tackle the existing problems in general aviation fuel supply, such as high costs, diverse sources, low safety standards, and the difficulty in monitoring fuel quality.
It is expected to guarantee a more high-quality fuel supply for general aviation airports and customers, laying a solid foundation for the future development of the general aviation sector.
It is now in use at the Shanghai Gaodong Heliport, which is operated by the East China Sea No. 1 Rescue Flight Team of the Ministry of Transport. The rescue team is primarily responsible for the search and rescue of distressed ships, aircraft, and fixed facilities, and other maritime emergencies. It shoulders the important mission of rescuing lives and property at sea.
However, the airport has long faced issues such as frequent rescue missions and limited aircraft refueling time.
The launch of the new smart general aviation fueling service station at Shanghai Gaodong Heliport is an important move by CNAF to fulfill its social responsibilities and safeguard China's maritime safety front line.
The refueling station is currently undergoing trial operations and testing as planned. It will play an important role in critical scenarios such as in mountainous and sea areas or in emergency rescue and disaster relief. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
