april2022 - 33

funding for the Alternative Fuels for General
Aviation program from $4.96 million
to $19 million, particularly in light of federal
legislators' focus on general aviation.
The letter was signed by leaders of the
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association,
General Aviation Manufacturers Association,
National Air Transportation Association,
Experimental Aircraft Association,
Helicopter Association International and
National Business Aviation Association.
Through its ongoing Piston Aviation
Fuels Initiative (PAFI), the FAA, fuel
suppliers and aerospace manufacturers
continue to partner on developing
high-octane, unleaded fuel formulations
that provide operationally safe alternatives
to 100LL avgas. Overall, the PAFI
includes four key elements: 1) a fleet-wide
authorization qualification test program,
2) new alternative fuel proposals and
certification, 3) the establishment of FAA
safety standards, and 4) executing an
informed and safe transition of the general
aviation fleet to an unleaded avgas
once it is approved.
Development and prescreening testing
is taking place at both private and
public facilities across the country, with
the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical
Center providing engine testing services
through Cooperative Research and Development
Agreements (CRADA) with the
individual fuel companies. The FAA also
continues to support other fuel applicants
who have decided to pursue engine
and airframe approvals that would allow
the use of their fuel formulations via traditional
certification processes.
Identifying, testing and authorizing
a fleet-wide unleaded avgas solution
remains a difficult challenge, but one
that the aviation industry is committed
to meeting. While it might seem
politically expedient to fast-track the
process of testing and adopting a new
environmentally friendly aviation fuel,
it is unwise to place short-term gain
above the long-term safety and economic
health of the general aviation industry.
The commitment of aviation industry
associations, aircraft and engine manufacturers,
fuel producers and federal
agencies to address concerns about lead
emissions from piston aircraft remains
clear. Regardless of the amount of time
and effort it may take to achieve, there
must be a smooth and safe transition to
deploying a new high-octane, unleaded
fuel that allows all general aviation
aircraft to continue to fly safely and
efficiently.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CURT CASTAGNA
Curt Castagna is president
and CEO of Aeroplex/
Aerolease Group, a
member of the Los
Angeles County Airport
Commission, president
of the Van Nuys and Long Beach Airport
Associations and immediate past chair
of the board of directors for the NATA.
A certified private and instrument-rated
pilot, he has instructed courses in aviation
administration at Cal State Los Angeles for
over two decades.
April 2022 || AviationPros.com || 33

http://www.AviationPros.com

april2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of april2022

Editor's Note: The Value of Training
Business Buzz
Industry Expert Column: How Investing in Safety Improves Employee Retention
How to Determine the Best Source for GSE Maintenance
Software's Helping Hand for Labor
Opportunities for the Cargo Handling Sector
The Future of Sustainable Aviation Gasoline Fuel
A SMART Way to Transport Nitrogen Cylinders
Product Hangar
Celebrating 30 Years: A Shared History
april2022 - 1
april2022 - 2
april2022 - 3
april2022 - 4
april2022 - 5
april2022 - Editor's Note: The Value of Training
april2022 - 7
april2022 - Business Buzz
april2022 - 9
april2022 - 10
april2022 - 11
april2022 - 12
april2022 - 13
april2022 - Industry Expert Column: How Investing in Safety Improves Employee Retention
april2022 - 15
april2022 - How to Determine the Best Source for GSE Maintenance
april2022 - 17
april2022 - 18
april2022 - 19
april2022 - 20
april2022 - 21
april2022 - 22
april2022 - 23
april2022 - Software's Helping Hand for Labor
april2022 - 25
april2022 - 26
april2022 - 27
april2022 - Opportunities for the Cargo Handling Sector
april2022 - 29
april2022 - 30
april2022 - The Future of Sustainable Aviation Gasoline Fuel
april2022 - 32
april2022 - 33
april2022 - A SMART Way to Transport Nitrogen Cylinders
april2022 - 35
april2022 - Product Hangar
april2022 - 37
april2022 - 38
april2022 - 39
april2022 - 40
april2022 - 41
april2022 - Celebrating 30 Years: A Shared History
april2022 - 43
april2022 - 44
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