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Seaplane operators – Avoid oil spilling and environmental fines

    The idyllic areas of natural habitats and national parks are considered havens of biodiversity and pristine beauty. Areas often only accessible by seaplanes. This puts a great responsibility on seaplanes owners and pilots to preserve these unique nature sanctuaries.

    Seaplanes are less invasive to the environment than boats. Seaplanes sit higher in the water and creates smaller wakes. Their propellers and exhaust are above the water. Floats are not painted with toxic anti-fouling paints.

    During normal operation of seaplanes, the only environmental risk is the pilot spilling oil in the water while topping up the engine oil. Spilled in the water, even a few drops of oil create a wide spreading oil film. Containing many toxic compounds, the oil film is very harmful to the delicate ecosystem.

    Photo: Turbine Oil top-up on a Kodiak Seaplane made easy, using a TheCanKey FunnelCap. Oshkosh 2023

    Seaplanes in the water are slippery and in constantly motion by wind and wakes. It is crucial that the oil filler equipment enables you to perform the oil filling task without spilling a drop of oil, while not worrying about your own safety.

    The FunnelCaps are designed to create a sealed and FOD free environment once installed on the oil can.

    Use TheCanKey FunnelCaps to avoid:

    • spilling oil into water.
    • spilling oil into the nacelle by back- or over‑owing ordinary funnels.
    • getting oil on your hands or clothes.
    • throwing away left-over oil.
    • FOD in open oil cans.
    • mixing oils.
    • environmental fines.

    Most smaller turbine engines only require a small amount of oil top up. TheCanKey FOD free oil servicing tools are perfect for this and allows you to keep left-over oil for next top up. After servicing leave the FunnelCap installed, even on the empty oil can. This ensures no contamination of the FunnelCap and also shows which type of oil residue is in the FunnelCap, so you don’t mix oils.

    Read about “Are you chasing engine oil leaks or someone just spilled the oil.”

    TheCanKey is the only FOD free oil can opener on the marked. It is tested and certified by Saybolt Laboratories not to leave any debris whatsoever in the oil can during the opening process.

    Use TheCanKey turbine oil can opener to ensure not to introduce FOD to your oil system when servicing or filling oil. It is an easy, proper and effective way to prevent FOD. Using TheCanKey FOD free oil servicing tools will ultimately save costs and improve overall safety and performance of the engine.

    Read more about TheCanKey FOD free oil service tools here: www.TheCanKey.com