TankScan Helps Thermal Aviation’s Savings Soar

Problem

Thermal Aviation is a fixed-base operator (FBO) providing all the tools to fuel, store, and self-serve aircraft. With two 12,000 gallon fuel tanks, Thermal Aviation is located at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (KTRM) in Thermal, CA near Palm Springs, and serves  customers via self-service fueling and operations 24/7. Like most self-serve fuel tanks, Thermal Aviation’s tank levels were monitored manually with the help of a clock-style gauge. However, the gauge would often get stuck and not provide an accurate reading.

“We never had confidence in taking a clock reading and typically had to manually stick the tank,” said Dan Obradovich, Manager, Thermal Aviation. “Safety has also been a major concern for us, and it’s not always safe to send someone to climb on top of a tank to get an accurate reading.”

Solution

Thermal Aviation researched other monitoring solutions before selecting the TankScan TSM8000 monitor from ATEK Access Technologies in late 2015. The TankScan monitoring system provides the tools necessary to accurately monitor fluid levels in multiple tanks, across numerous sites, from anywhere an internet connection is available.

“We like the TankScan system because of its reliability; it always works,” said Obradovich. “Sometimes we’re not able to have someone out at the airport, but I can look online from anywhere to check our inventory levels.”

The monitor collects data about the fluid level in Thermal Aviation’s tanks and sends it to the ATEK Intelligence Platform (AIP) web-based monitoring application.

“All of our employees have access to the system on their smart phones, ensuring we always know where our inventory is,” added Obradovich.  

Results

Through using the TankScan solution, Thermal Aviation realizes numerous benefits including:

TankScan helped eliminate the guesswork of inventory management. TankScan also provides Thermal Aviation with access to trend reports so they can see how much fuel they’re using. The reports also help Thermal Aviation predict when they’ll need fuel in the future.  
Thermal Aviation can quickly check the inventory status on their phones, saving time and money while eliminating downtime.
TankScan helped Thermal Aviation improve safety by eliminating the need for Thermal’s employees to climb on top of its tanks to get an accurate measurement.

“Before TankScan, we had missed opportunities because someone wasn’t watching,” said Obradovich. ”Now, we don’t forget about our tanks because our tanks send us email and text alerts.”

The ATEK Service Platform allows ATEK Access Technologies to remotely monitor the health of TankScan TSM8000 wireless tank monitors in the field, ensuring that its TankScan monitors are online and operating at the best possible level.

“TankScan is a game changer for us,” said Obradovich. “It’s cost efficient and we never have to question whether the TankScan monitor is working. If you don’t have it, it’s a mistake.”