Reid-Hillview Airport Now Offering G100UL for Full-Service Fueling

Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV), located in San Jose, California, has formally added GAMI’s unleaded fuel to its services. This makes RHV the first field in the US to offer this new 100 octane unleaded avgas.

Santa Clara County, which contains Reid-Hillview Airport, signed a contract with G100UL’s producer, Vitol, for the purchase. It was delivered on Monday, October 28, and was ready to go in a new fuel truck two days later. The truck-to-airplane delivery costs $6.99 per gallon.

Santa Clara banned 100 low-lead (100LL) in January of 2022. Since then, it has only offered Swift Fuels’ UL94 for piston-powered aircraft. This permits use on any aircraft that has previously received a supplemental type certificate (STC). UL94 is FAA-certified in around 68 percent of the piston aircraft types that use RHV and San Martin airports.

 “Offering G100UL to our airport users has been years in the making,” stated Eric Peterson, the Director of County Airports. “This fueling alternative positions RHV as the first airport in the nation to offer unleaded aviation fuel for the entire general aviation community and we are pretty excited about that.”

General Aviation Modifications’s (GAMI) G100UL is an FAA Certified, 100% lead free aviation fuel. Though STCs are still required, aircraft owners will typically just need placards and a POH supplement to make the switch. The manufacturer estimates that the fuel will cost around $0.70 to $1.05 more per gallon than 100LL, at least until it becomes more readily accessible.

The reality of lead in avgas is that, while it has been the standard throughout aviation history, it has very few advantages. It has been primarily kept around because it boosts the fuel’s octane rating, preventing detonation in the cylinders. However, recently developed unleaded fuels still have a sufficient octane rating while reducing deposits and corrosion. They are also much better for both the environment and human health.

FMI: www.g100ul.com