Both Federal Agencies Say They Support An "Orderly Process" For Finding An Alternative Fuel

Each of the two federal agencies with direct input on the future of aviation gasoline - the FAA and the EPA - has made statements during the 2010 EAA AirVenture that bode well for the process of determining the future of aviation gasoline (avgas). Both the FAA and the EPA have clearly indicated that they support an orderly process that will allow for the testing and evaluation of all potential alternatives to today's leaded avgas formulation.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt stated that his agency supports the development and following of a well-thought-out process to make sure that a safe and viable alternative is identified and implemented. Speaking to a forum attended by several hundred people, Babbitt said his agency is "keenly aware" of pilots' interest in resolving the issue, and he assured the audience members that his agency has reached out to the EPA and begun working cooperatively with them. "We have a very good relationship with the EPA and the industry, and we have a common commitment to bring this to a successful conclusion," he said.

For its part, the EPA, in a written response to questions from the General Aviation Avgas Coalition, confirmed that it has set no deadline for implementing an unleaded alternative fuel, creating room for the process the FAA prefers to occur.

As a member of the General Aviation Avgas Coalition, which consists of aviation and petroleum industry associations, AOPA says it is committed to developing and following a process that gives all potential fuel alternatives an opportunity to be evaluated to determine its end-to-end viability, from production through distribution and operation, from safety, economic and environmental perspectives.

The avgas coalition also includes the American Petroleum Institute (API), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA).

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.epa.gov