AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2024 - 33

INDUSTRY NEWS /
'Cirrus does not approve'
Manufacturer will not warrant GAMI fuel
CIRRUS AIRCRAFT MAY nullify warranties for aircraft that use unleaded General
Aviation Modifications Inc. G100UL fuel, the world's largest piston aircraft
manufacturer said recently. The announcement is a setback for GAMI, which
has spent years developing an unleaded, high-octane fuel to replace leaded avgas
in the worldwide fleet of piston airplanes.
Cirrus SR22, SR22T, and some SR20
models are equipped with Continental engines.
Continental warranties exclude damage that
results from the use of " non-approved fuel. "
Some SR20s are equipped with Lycoming
engines, and Lycoming's warranty also excludes
damage from " non-approved fuels. " Neither
Continental nor Lycoming has specifically
approved G100UL.
The aviation industry is seeking to move
away from leaded avgas as soon as a safe
alternative is authorized for all GA and widely
available. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
requires airports that offered avgas in 2022 to
continue to do so until 2030 or until an FAAauthorized
alternative is available.
The company said it finds
some aspects of the new
fuel " encouraging " but critical
safety questions regarding
materials compatibility
remain " inconclusive. "
Cirrus has tested G100UL in its SR20, SR22, and SR22T aircraft, and the company
said it finds some aspects of the new fuel " encouraging, " but critical safety questions
regarding materials compatibility remain " inconclusive. "
" Cirrus does not approve the use of GAMI G100UL fuel in SR Series airplanes, "
the company said. " Cirrus does not warrant or represent in any way an operator's
use of GAMI G100UL in SR Series airplanes. "
G100UL is made from a different chemical composition than leaded avgas. Any
avgas replacement must be compatible with existing aircraft fuel tanks, bladders,
lines, and accessories in addition to performing well in engines.
The FAA has approved supplemental type certificates for GAMI G100UL
covering the full spectrum of piston aircraft engines. G100UL hasn't been part
of the FAA's ongoing, multiyear Piston Aviation Fuel Initiative process known as
PAFI, however, and it hasn't been evaluated under American Society of Testing and
Materials (ASTM) standards.
About 2,500 Cirrus aircraft are covered by standard three-year and extended
five-year warranties. According to the terms of those warranties, they become
void if " products...not supported or approved by Cirrus are installed on or applied
to the aircraft. "
GAMI, a privately owned firm based in Ada,
Oklahoma, has performed extensive fuel tests
in its own engine lab and ongoing materials
analysis using many types of commonly used
fuel tanks, fuel lines, and sealants.
AOPA has logged about 180 flight hours in
a Beechcraft Baron using G100UL in the left
engine and avgas in the right. The 1966 Baron's
newly overhauled Continental IO-520 engines
are being regularly inspected, and their data is
recorded and closely monitored. AOPA intends
to fly the Baron with other unleaded fuels when
they become available.
Cirrus says it's been collaborating with
several unleaded fuel manufacturers including
GAMI, Swift, and LyondellBasell to find a safe
alternative to leaded avgas. " Safety is our upmost
core value, " Cirrus said. " We will not approve
the use of a fuel until we have completed
thorough and comprehensive materials and
flight testing. "
AOPA PILOT / September 2024
33
DAVID TULIS
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2024

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