The USA approves unleaded AVGAS, AOPA has reported. Hundreds more engines have been approved to use unleaded AVGAS. Do you think Australia will follow?
A growing list of approved engines
Approximately 611 engines are included in an approved model list (October 28). With the more limited number of approvals GAMI announced in July, account for about 70 percent of the fleet’s powerplants. AOPA consultant and aviation fuels expert Paul Millner reported that airframes approved for pairing with the engines will be identified separately on a list expected soon from the FAA.
“This is a very bullish sign that the FAA is continuing to honor their commitment to move unleaded avgas forward. And as fast as possible,” Millner said.
A new urgency is arising
He added that the accelerated commitment reflects a new urgency. This arises from the FAA’s awareness that some local governments are trying to ban leaded avgas from their airports. Those actions are further pressuring efforts proceeding on multiple fronts to develop unleaded fuel. This move would also reduce the lead content of some fuels.
The approved engines comprise a large percentage of the GA fleet. Used mostly in aircraft that burn lower octane fuels—the remaining 30 percent of engines require 100-octane fuel. This accounts for 80 percent of total avgas utilization, he said.
Those engines should make up the bulk of the “fleetwide expansion” of approvals to use unleaded fuel. George Braly, GAMI’s chief engineer, told an AOPA webinar audience in September that he was expecting from the FAA early in 2022. At that time Braly’s upbeat presentation described the FAA’s attention to the issue using terms similar to those tapped by Millner. He noted that the approval process was by agency standards, “progress at the speed of light.”
As each new announcement in the stepped-up projects to remove lead surfaces, the question of how to make the fuels available remains. GAMI and fuels distributor Avfuel have outlined their work on a distribution strategy for GAMI’s G100UL avgas. Millner added that the companies are “accelerating its introduction in areas where 100LL is being taken away.”
Australia and the US work together to develop high-octane unleaded AVGAS
On another of the major fronts to develop an alternative avgas, AOPA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association are working with the FAA and other industry groups in the Piston Aviation Fuel Initiative (PAFI) to develop a safe and viable high-octane unleaded avgas. This product would replace 100LL and maintain the utility of the existing fleet.
The PAFI process is available to all fuel developers as a means for technical support from key stakeholders. It also helps enable a cost-effective approach. This would meet the needs of the entire GA aircraft fleet through an FAA fleetwide authorization.
