GAMA Raises Strong Concerns, Says Move Is Premature

A state court in California is poised to potentially eliminate the sale of leaded avgas when it rules on March 5 on a motion brought by the California Center for Environmental Health (CEH) to arbitrarily force several FBOs and general aviation fuel distributors in the state to transition to offering only a new unleaded avgas.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association and other aviation groups are working through the EAGLE initiative – Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions – to bring a safe and efficient transition to unleaded fuels for piston-engine aircraft. The association rightfully raises the alarm that the CEH motion is premature and counterproductive, potentially causing unnecessary harm to the general aviation community.

Pete Bunce, GAMA President and CEO said in a statement: “There is a concerted effort currently underway to ensure that there is a safe and efficient transition to an unleaded future for piston-engine aircraft. We have seen some key milestones reached to progress efforts, but there is still significant work needed before a full-scale transition can take place. The CEH motion is based on a brand new high-octane unleaded fuel, which is currently available at just two California airports.

“Although the FAA issued an STC allowing for its use in airplanes, this is the only aviation fuel that has not been subject to a stakeholder consensus peer review process and does not have the endorsement for use by piston-engine and aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or other stakeholders such as distributors and FBOs due to lack of transparency and understanding of the new fuel’s composition and performance properties.

“Additionally, this fuel cannot be used in piston helicopters. There are also questions and a need for additional information about materials compatibility and safety in both aircraft and fuel distribution infrastructure. The general aviation industry is committed to supporting a viable unleaded avgas solution, but a forced and premature transition will not be in the interest of the aviation community or public in the long run.”

Furthermore, several aviation companies such as Lycoming, Piper Aircraft, and Textron Aviation that there remain potential problems with the current unleaded avgas that the CEH is trying to force on the piston aircraft community. The issue concerns materials incompatibilities identified in several aircraft types, and also that the fuels are not yet fully certified for use in many aircraft types and engine models.

FMI:  gama.aero/