AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2022 - 12

AOPA ACTION
TOP STOR IES /
AOPA says be 'safe and smart'
Aviation groups call out 'rushed decision' banning 100LL at Santa Clara County airports
GE NE R A L
A V I A T I ON L E A DE R S have
expressed safety concerns about the
rushed decision by Santa Clara County
officials to prevent the sale of 100LL fuel
at California's Reid-Hillview Airport and
San Martin Airport.
" The need to remove lead from aviation
fuel is something everyone is behind, " said
AOPA President Mark Baker. " What's happening
at Reid-Hillview Airport in California
is having a chilling effect in moving forward
with a safe and smart transition. "
In a letter to Transportation Secretary
Pete Buttigieg and Acting FAA Administrator
Billy Nolen, aviation groups outlined the
crucial need for 100LL fuel to be available
at all public-use airports across the country
while the industry works to find a fleetwide
fuel solution as quickly as possible.
The letter was signed by the more than 110
members of the Avgas Coalition, a group
of aviation stakeholders aligned on the
need for a smart and safe transition to an
unleaded fuel solution that works for the
entire GA fleet.
The letter explained that the action to
suddenly not offer fuel that had been available
by an obligated airport to the aircraft
and engines that require it " could pose a violation
of federal grant obligations by creating
an access restriction to that airport and unjust
discrimination. "
" Allowing the county's unilateral action
to unfairly discriminate against certain users
of our public-use airport system is wrong and
if not addressed could exacerbate the situation
by causing a domino effect at airports
across the nation, " the letter stated.
The letter also reminded government
officials that the industry-refiners, producers,
distributors, engine manufacturers,
pilots, airports, and FBOs-is working
closely with the Biden administration to
find a fleetwide unleaded replacement fuel
no later than 2030.
aopa.org/100UL
Did you know?
Many of the 200,000 aircraft
in the current GA piston fleet
require higher-octane fuel
to fly safely, and misfuelling
can cause detonation and
engine malfunction resulting in
catastrophic engine failure.
Not having 100LL available can
lead to the grounding of GA
aircraft that perform life-saving
emergency response, search and
rescue, law enforcement, or other
humanitarian missions. The lack
of 100LL fuel at Reid-Hillview has
already had a negative impact
on humanitarian flights because
aircraft are now unable to refuel
at the airport.
100LL is necessary for 30 percent
of the piston fleet, which accounts
for 70 percent of all GA fuel sales
in the United States.
Of note
Medical applications: The FAA added a new feature to its
online MedXPress process, allowing pilots to track their medical
applications in real time-a sign that the agency is working
to modernize its outdated systems. All new applicants signing
into MedXPress accounts will be able to see their real-time application
status on a dashboard. The system is designed so that pilots
will no longer need to call the Office of Aerospace Medicine for
updates. Those with applications prior to April 15 will be able to
see any new activity on the dashboard when new action is taken
on their case. This process will not alleviate the current backlog
of applications.
Drug testing: AOPA submitted comments in response to the
U.S. Department of Transportation's proposed changes to its drug
testing program, including the use of oral fluid samples (saliva
test) as an alternative to urine testing. While the change continues
to uphold the safety goals of the program, AOPA cautioned
the agency to keep privacy top of mind in its testing protocols.
AOPA also encouraged the DOT to retain its one-year retention
period for non-negative specimens. AOPA argued that the proposed
90-day period may pass before a pilot is able to retain legal
counsel or expert witnesses, and ultimately make the decision to
have additional testing of the sample performed for litigation purposes.
The proposal mostly affects pilots for commercial airlines,
cargo operators, or charter operators.
12
AOPA PILOT / July 2022
http://www.aopa.org/100UL
AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2022

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