The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots concerned about the future availability of fuels for piston-engine aircraft: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114.
On Independence Day, an important new watermark was reached regarding the availability of ethanol-free autogas. On July 4, the number of retail sellers of ethanol-free gas listed at Pure-Gas.org exceeded the number of FBOs selling leaded 100LL avgas in the US, which was 3,512 according to AirNav. In reality, there are far more retail sellers of ethanol-free autogas in the US than those listed on Pure-Gas, as in many regions it is so common that consumers have no need to log the information on this website. Despite increasing ethanol production mandates, consumers clearly are more interested than ever in buying ethanol-free, as can be seen in the strong continued growth in listings.
The owner of Pure-Gas, Sam Hokin, owner of a vintage BMW motorcycle, confirmed this: “Yes, there are many pure gas stations still lacking. Especially here in Wisconsin where pure gas seems to have become more, not less, common. We were just up north at the BMWRA rally, and I was able to get pure gas at pretty much every BP I came across, plus, for the first time in my knowledge, at a Mobil station. The BP station in Chippewa Falls, the site of the rally, had pure 93 rather than 91, which is a BP first for me. Wisconsin is very boater/snowmobile oriented, especially in the Northwoods. And maybe the fact that Kwik Trip is promoting pure gas has compelled other brands to start selling it again.”
For pilots seeking ethanol-free, lead-free autogas, this is good news indeed.
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