Recreational Pilots, Flight Schools, Some Deliveries Affected

An aviation fuel shortage in Canada caused by a reported possible quality control issues at Imperial Oil is grounding many GA pilots in Canada, and affecting some businesses as well.

The problem was reported by Imperial Oil to Transport Canada on February 13. 100LL avgas produced at the company's Strathcona refinery near Edmonton since Dec. 28 was reported to have an issue with electrical conductivity, which could lead to improper fuel levels being indicated by an aircraft's instruments. Transport Canada issued a NOTAM for the fuel, which led to airports across the country to suspend its sale and quarantine stocks on hand. The Calgary Herald reports that some fuel stocks have been tested and approved for use, but many airports are still refraining from selling the gas.

Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) manager of government affairs and communications Carter Mann, told the paper that the fuel shortage is affecting flight schools and some delivery businesses as well as recreational GA flyers.

A spokeswoman for Imperial said that the company is "making progress" on testing stocks that have already been delivered to airports, but would provide no timeline an when the company would resume production of 100LL avgas.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report