THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PORTABLE AIRCRAFT REFUELING STATION FOR SMALL AIRCRAFT IN POLITEKNIK BANTING SELANGOR

Abstract

A novel Portable Aircraft Refueling Station (PARS) has been developed to provide hands-on fuel-handling experience for aviation maintenance students. The prototype integrates a fuel tank, 12V DC pump with auto-shutoff nozzle, 12V beacon, and an Arduino microcontroller with an ultrasonic level sensor and LCD display for real-time fuel monitoring. Its novelty lies in combining a compact, low-cost refueling cart with digital monitoring and safety features (grounding strap, emergency stop) in an educational context. In a post-survey (n=51, Semester 5 Aircraft Maintenance Engineering students at Politeknik Banting Selangor), significant learning gains were observed. For example, mean self-rated confidence in refueling procedures rose from 2.9 to 4.3 (on a 5-point Likert scale) and understanding of fuel system concepts from 3.1 to 4.5. Over 90% of students strongly agreed that PARS made training more engaging and realistic. These improvements were therefore significant. Compared to traditional lecture-only instruction, this practical training approach boosted comprehension and retention of fueling tasks. To our knowledge, PARS is among the first portable, Arduino-based refueling training rigs reported for small-aircraft maintenance, addressing gaps in existing facility availability. This paper details the PARS design, experimental setup, and evaluation for aviation maintenance education and potential to enhance hands-on skill development.