Isobutane/Propane and 40-Mile Air

[JPD350]

So I will be traveling with 40-Mile Air next September and I received a letter stating they will not fly any canisters of isobutane/propane mix, I totally understand that if there is a safety issue I will adhere to their request, whatever it takes.

I was under the impression that if the containers had a DOT stamp that they were okay to fly, is this not the case?

Last year I flew with Wright Air and we just put the isobutane/propane canister in a box similar to an ammo box and away we went with no issue whatsoever. LOL the last thing I wanted to do was buy a whole new cooking system on top of all the other gear that I want!

 

[Stid2677]

40 mile is different, this comes up every year. They do not care if the canisters have DOT or not and they will ask to see your stove. I have flown with them many times. Great folks and I'm not sure why they enforce this were other do not, but they will not fly Iso canisters.

 

[InIt2Live]

I think it's just their own safety protocol, maybe they've had a problem in the past. Gotta respect the rules though... Everything happens for a reason, maybe your mind is about to be blown by a new multi fuel stove!

 

[larryschwartz]

Many people who fly into the area that they hunt have switched to a multifuel stove for this reason. When they land they just bum a cannister of fuel from the plane and go on their merry way.

 

[Stid2677]

As mentioned a liquid fuel stove works and they have let us drain enough from the wing sump to do our hunts. They will fly coleman fuel and the
1lb propane cans. I have one of these adapters and have used my Jet Boil with it, that said I do have a Jet Boil that doesn't work with it too.

http://www.amazon.com/Kovea-LPG-Adaptor-Small-Silver/dp/B00CFPISZW

 

[JPD350]

So other than an MSR Dragonfly are any comparable brands?

Stid, how long does one propane bottle last with the Jetboil and does it change the cooking time or efficiency? Right off hand I am not sure I would want to go that route, with my luck it would work great until the plane dropped me off!

Thanks, JP

 

[Stid2677]

So other than an MSR Dragonfly are any comparable brands?

Stid, how long does one propane bottle last with the Jetboil and does it change the cooking time or efficiency? Right off hand I am not sure I would want to go that route, with my luck it would work great until the plane dropped me off!

Thanks, JP

Never used it long enough to really get a feel for how long it would last. Longer than a ISO can, and the flame is not as hot, but still plenty to cook with. Just a PITA to pack the propane around and the adapter is heavy as well. It worked okay and still does, just not all that handy. I have a MSR international and I just used that instead now when I hunt the villages since I can't fly ISO on jets either and most village stores only sell Coleman or Propane.

http://www.rei.com/product/830341/msr-whisperlite-international-backpacking-stove

 

[jherald]

Although not ideal, since there are some micro-rgulator ISO stoves that burn more efficiently than any liquid fuel stove, a good old liquid fuel stove like a MSR Whisperlite with a pump can of coleman fuel will be good for a sheep hunt. And you can use the fuel to start a nice alder or willow fire too when you get a sheep down and get some ribs cooking in short order.

 

[realunlucky]

Is there any problem flying used but empty liquid fuel canister on a commercial flight?

 

[JPD350]

Looks like I'll be asking for an MSR for Christmas, appreciate the info!

 

[durangobrad]

Is there any problem flying used but empty liquid fuel canister on a commercial flight?

No, just make sure it is cleaned out well and no fuel fumes remain and there should be no issue.

http://blog.tsa.gov/2014/05/tsa-travel-tips-travel-tips-for.html

I always print these little things off from the TSA website and carry them with me in case the smurfs have any questions.

 

[InIt2Live]

The MSR's are top notch, I would look at the Whisperlite Universal so it can burn cans or liquid. The Primus Omnifuel is another great one that can run on canisters or most any other fuel.

 

[JPD350]

So I have been looking at the stoves and my questions are how long does all the rubber parts last? Do you guys take the pump apart and oil the parts after each use? Do you always take extra rubber parts with you?

 

[InIt2Live]

When I had my Whisperlite, I did an annual servicing. I stripped everything down, cleaned and replaced the o rings, per MSR's recommendations. I never carried any extra parts, but I may have been pushing my luck. I try to carry varying foods though, so even if my stove craps out, I have something to eat. I never had any problem in the field though, with any stove (nothing catastrophic anyway). With how much you are already putting into this hunt, it might be wise to carry the repair kit, or enough other food that doesn't require the stove. The repair kit is less than 4 oz and could save the hunt...

 

[JPD350]

Good thoughts, if you just service it right before every year right before hunting season you should be good to go. Plenty of wood where I am going, looking forward to some fish on a stick.

 

[Pontius]

Is there any problem flying used but empty liquid fuel canister on a commercial flight?

Clean it out till it doesn't even smell. Leave the cap off. It is now a water bottle, and you are good to go.

 

[JPD350]

No, just make sure it is cleaned out well and no fuel fumes remain and there should be no issue.

http://blog.tsa.gov/2014/05/tsa-travel-tips-travel-tips-for.html

I always print these little things off from the TSA website and carry them with me in case the smurfs have any questions.

Great idea to print that kind of stuff!

 

[larryschwartz]

Great idea to print that kind of stuff!

Actually, printing off what the airline says on its website is a good practice anytime you are flying with gear that might raise a question. Better to have it in their own words when you run up against an employee who "thinks" they know what the rules are. And, of course, asking to see their supervisor if there is a problem/disagreement is always an option.

 

[milunchbox]

DOT is not the same as aircraft safe.....

 

[durangobrad]

Actually, printing off what the airline says on its website is a good practice anytime you are flying with gear that might raise a question. Better to have it in their own words when you run up against an employee who "thinks" they know what the rules are. And, of course, asking to see their supervisor if there is a problem/disagreement is always an option.

I believe when I have asked airlines in the past they have deferred me to the TSA website that i quoted above. They after all are the ones that do the screening of your bags. I dont say a word to the airline employee who got hired yesterday and are totally clueless...