FAA Announces Approval of Unleaded Aviation Fuel
On September 1, 2022, the FAA announced that it approved an unleaded aviation fuel alternative for piston-engine aircraft. At this time, adoption of the unleaded alternative is optional, at the discretion of individual airports and pilots. The FAA will not be required to mandate the use of this unleaded gasoline until the EPA completes its leaded aviation fuel endangerment finding.
As the unleaded fuel becomes more widely available in the coming months, airport owners and operators can incentivize pilots to stop polluting communities with this neurotoxin by following the example set by Santa Clara County in banning leaded fuel at Reid-Hillview (RHV) and San Martin Airports. An August 2021 study at RHV revealed that children living near this airport had significantly elevated blood lead levels that, at times, exceeded those detected during the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. The serious and potentially irreversible harms posed by exposure to this pollutant, even in very small amounts, especially impacting children, Black, minority and low-wealth communities are extensively documented. In addition, adults are adversely impacted by lead pollution.
See Sale of Leaded Aviation Fuel Ends at Reid-Hillview and San Martin Airports for additional information.
The following is the opening paragraph to a September 1, 2022, AvWeb article, GAMI Unleaded Avgas Approved for GA Piston Fleet.
"In a first for the aviation industry, the FAA has approved supplemental type certificates (STCs) for the use of General Aviation Modifications Inc.'s G100UL 100-octane unleaded avgas in all general aviation piston aircraft. GAMI co-founder George Braly stated that the fuel will initially be produced in small batches while the manufacturing and distribution infrastructure is established. Although pricing for G100UL has not yet been determined, Braly noted it will cost "slightly more" than 100LL until production volume increases.
"This is a big day for the industry," said Braly. "It means that for a lot of our general aviation communities, and especially for a high fraction on the West Coast, relief is on the way. And it means that our industry will be able to go into the future and prosper, and provide the essential infrastructure for this country for everything from Angel Flights to critical training of our future airline pilots."
Click GAMI Unleaded Avgas Approved For GA Piston Fleet to read the article in full.
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