GATS jar fuel sampler

[fleetcanuck]

I am looking for an upgrade in the fuel sampling department. Has anyone used this product, and if so, what are your thoughts, please?

[C-GKNT]

They are excellent, worth every penny. I have one for every aircraft I fly.

Even with significant amount of water in the sample, I have no problems pouring it back into the tank. Completely separates the water from the fuel and keeps in in the jar. They are also significantly larger than a standard fuel cup so you can get a proper sized sample.

Glenn

[SuperchargedRS]

For normal GA stuff just use the standard issue cigar sized one with the screw driver bit on the bottom, work just as well, take up less space, less parts, less money

[C-GKNT]

For normal GA stuff just use the standard issue cigar sized one with the screw driver bit on the bottom, work just as well, take up less space, less parts, less money

Supercharged,

I'm going to respectfully disagree with that. The one time I got water in the tanks (my fault, I let the fuel guy put the cap on and then it rained), I was using one like the ones you described. The first sample I pulled just didn't look right. It was 100% water...I pulled 2 or 3 more full samples of water before I got to a sample with 3/4 water 1/4 fuel. If it was night, I'm not sure if I would have seen the difference and might have though the first sample was OK as there was no fuel/water "line" in the sample. A Gats Jar is much larger and this is much less likely to happen with a larger sample.

Even where there are no specific prohibitions against doing so, I don't like throwing leaded fuel on the tarmac. With a Gats Jar, I have no problem returning a sample (contaminated or not) back into the tank.

Glenn

[JasonE]

I use a GATS jar. Love it, no wasted fuel. I clean it out once in awhile when the screen starts to fill up. Cherokee low-wing tends to pickup crap on the sump drains.

[Canadian Skyhawk]

They are a great product and worth every penny. I've had one on every GA plane I've flown (up to a Navajo). The sample sizes are meaningful (250 ml or more if you wish) and you can pour back the sample into your tank without wasting precious fuel or polluting the environment (Need I say that in 2016, spilling fuel onto the ground every time you sample a fuel tank is not acceptable). If the fuel is contaminated, it's much easier to view with the larger quantity. There is a built-in fuel/water separator which then allows you to return the fuel to the tank while keeping the water in the jar. That water is safe to dump onto the ground.

You can get them direct from the manufacturer or on eBay for about $20.

[SuperchargedRS]

Always been able to see water or dirt in the little samplers, only draw back, as I see it, is folks keep them too long, once that little tube wears to anything but crystal clear plastic, spend the few bucks and buy a new one.

To each their own, I'm just not a fan of the multiple pieces and size of the gats jar at least not for the single engine pistons I've flown. Also always been able to pour the fuel back in planes just fine with the cigar sized tube, even my 185.

Now of someone pulls up in their Prius or tesla, I might drop a little fuel on the ramp and in my best Georgia accent say something like "it don came from the earth, now it's going back to where it came from" and just watch the smug factor build until the guy comes completely unglued...just for entertainment value lol

[Meecka]

We use them at work, and they are great.

[xchox]

Buddy... Every time you use a GATS Jar... A pornstar screams your name, an Angel get's her wings, and an orphaned child get's adopted!

[niss]

I've got one and love it, but an old instructor questioned the legality of "Putting possibly contaminated fuel" back in.

[billgeno]

I'd have to agree with most here that the GATS is the way to go. It doesn't take up much room in a 172 - just toss it in your oil box or even the seat back pocket.

With 10 drains on the 172s I was flying most recently, I hated the little screwdriver/fuel tester that were in some of them - especially when I was at an FBO or airport that were a lot more strict than some regarding spillage, and I never felt confident pouring unscreened fuel back into the tanks..

To me, it's worth the $20 for the peace of mind knowing that I was doing what I could to reduce the crap in my fuel tanks and subsequently my fuel lines and injectors.

Bill

[ahramin]

First time hearing about these and I see they are $25 now, not $20. Think I'll order one as it seems like a lot easier than my current setup with a used fuel can that ends up going through a screened funnel every once in a while.

I've got one and love it, but an old instructor questioned the legality of "Putting possibly contaminated fuel" back in.

That's hilarious. I hope you asked for a CARs reference. Amazing what people will invent.

[fleetcanuck]

Thank you very much for the positive responses. I don't like the idea of dumping the fuel and it is not good for the asphalt either. I know there is another similar product, but it looks as though it has moving parts which may break or leak. The screw driver version sort of does the job, but this seems to be a much better way to go.

I guess I shouldn't confess to driving a hybrid!