From Jan 1, 2022, only UL94 Available at Reid-Hillview and San Martin

As always in California, things just keep getting better... not. A long running dispute with locals about the impact of airborne lead has finally taken effect, banning the sale and distribution of 100LL fuel at Reid-Hillview and San Martin, both airports within the Santa Clara area. 

Airport authorities note that 2 of the 4 fuel providers at Reid have already switched to Swift Fuels brand UL94, the only available unleaded aviation gasoline in the region. The remaining providers are expected to transition, with the only fuels to be sold being JetA or UL94. Those natives who wish to use the unleaded gas will require an STC beforehand. Swift lists a number of aircraft engines compatible with their fuel, including a wide range of Lycoming O-Series, Continental A/C/O, and Rotax 912/4/5s among them. When fueled, it can be commingled with 100LL without issue. 

The change comes following a unanimous August vote by the Santa Clara County Board of Commissioners to close Reid-Hillview as soon as possible, ostensibly due to the negative health impact on children living near the airport. Lead exposure caused by particulates from flights above has become a trendy excuse for “not in my backyard!” types in recent history. Studies on their blood borne lead levels earlier this year showed a slightly elevated amount that was still within the range of negligible accepted values, in line with kids from around the state. Whether or not exposure is indeed serious enough in comparison to other environmental issues is a separate debate entirely, but the general consensus holds that the move was a backdoor tactic geared towards closing the airport. The Board has discussed closure of Reid in 2031, which is the point when previously accepted FAA grants no longer protect its continued operation.

The county has been a highly visible example in their war to reclaim the now-prime real estate occupied by the airport, oftentimes claiming that the land will be used for "affordable housing" once the airport is demolished. Cynics familiar with local politics in such areas can guess where such a process ends: often with the well-to-do land owners in the area voting against high-density housing in favor of expensive, upscale housing tracts. (The typical home values in Santa Clara, it should be noted, have climbed even further in 2021. Real estate site Zillow states that the typical home value in the area is now a bit north of $1,500,000.)

FMI: www.countyairports.sccgov.org