Av-gas to be refilled

IQALUIT — More av-gas is on the way to Iqaluit.

Iqaluit’s av-gas supply became contaminated in April, threatening to ground several local pilots and strand trans-polar flyers who stop in Iqaluit to refuel.

To cover the shortage, the GN’s Division of Petroleum Products airlifted 50 drums of av-gas to Iqaluit from Rankin Inlet earlier this summer.

Another 390 drums are slated to arrive in town aboard the first sealift freighter. The second sealift ship will be carrying another 300,000 litres of av-gas, which will be pumped into the bulk-storage tanks at the Iqaluit airport.

According to Susan Makpah, head of the Petroleum Products division, Iqaluit pilots use about 200,000 litres of av-gas per year.

She said more bulk fuel will be shipped up next summer.