march2022 - 6

Editor's Note
JOSH SMITH
josh@AviationPros.com
920-563-1644
LinkedIn
EAGLE's Efforts to
Promote Unleaded Avgas
Intent on eliminating the use of leaded aviation fuel, the Eliminate
Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions initiative will have an impact
on ground support infrastructure across general aviation.
I
n February, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
announced an initiative outlining steps to eliminate the
use of leaded aviation fuel by 2030 without negatively
affecting the existing piston engine fleet.
According to a press release announcing the initiative,
Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) will
be based on four pillars of action that involve the FAA, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fuel suppliers and
distributors, airports, engine and aircraft manufacturers,
research institutions, associations, environmental experts,
communities and other key stakeholders.
The search for effective unleaded fuels has taken place for
more than a decade. The Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI)
has tested a number of fuels. Supplemental Type Certificates
(STC) have also been used to develop unleaded fuels,
including Swift's UL94 and General Aviation Manufacturer
Incorporated's (GAMI's) 100 octane fuel. These fuels are in
use for low compression engines, but a solution is still being
sought for high compression engines that make up a majority
of general aviation aircraft.
EAGLE's four pillars of action include developing unleaded
fuels infrastructure and assessing commercial viability;
supporting research and development and technology innovations;
continuing to evaluate and authorize safe unleaded
fuels; and establishing necessary policies.
Certainly, much thought and planning will be required to
incorporate many perspectives on this topic. That's evident
by the number of associations involved, including the General
Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Owners
and Pilots Association (AOPA), American Association of Airport
Executives (AAAE), Experimental Aircraft Association
(EAA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), National
Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business
Aviation Association (NBAA) and American Petroleum
Institute (API).
6 || Ground Support Worldwide || March 2022
As it pertains to ground support for general aviation, the
need for infrastructure to supply unleaded fuels is the pillar
that will have the greatest impact. For example, an FBO or
municipal airport may have to consider whether to put in
another tank so it can offer 94UL fuel or (another alternative)
or wait until an unleaded fuel is identified by EAGLE
and certified so existing tanks can be converted to handling
the new fuel.
" There are a lot of communities and a lot of FBOs that
are very concerned because that's not a cheap proposition, "
said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO, during an
AOPA-hosted webinar.
President and CEO of AOPA Mark Baker agreed, noting a
drop-in fuel is the best solution for most existing infrastructure
at airports.
" Our real intent here is to have a fleet-wide acceptable fuel
that's drop-in because the scale of economics around most
general aviation airports, you can't have three tanks and
make your choices, " he said during the webinar. " I also believe
there's a high risk of safety if we don't have communication
about what's an appropriate fuel for your airplane. "
To assist with the communication aspect, the Avgas Coalition,
a broad group of organizations " aligned on a smart and
safe transition to unleaded aviation fuel, " has been established
and now has more than 100 members. Baker encouraged
anyone involved in general aviation and piston aircraft
to join the coalition to stay up to date with the latest developments
concerning unleaded avgas.
More information about EAGLE and the Avgas Coalition can
be found at www.aopa.org/100ul.
With the urgency established by the 2030 deadline, more
ingenuity and developments pertaining to unleaded avgas can
be expected. We'll continue to report on the topic at AviationPros.com.
I also welcome your thoughts and considerations on
the topic. Reach out to me at josh@AviationPros.com.
http://www.aopa.org/100ul http://www.AviationPros.com http://www.AviationPros.com
march2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of march2022
