A technical report has been released about FAA testing performed on an unleaded general aviation fuel developed by Swift Enterprises Ltd.
“The Environmental Protection Agency has required that users of aviation gasoline, known as avgas, substantially reduce their airborne lead emissions,” said Mary-Louise Rusek, co-founder and president of Swift Enterprises. “We are developing our unleaded avgas to be a viable alternative, renewable and sustainable fuel so the general aviation industry is not grounded by these upcoming regulations.”
Swift Enterprises, which is based in the Purdue Research Park, provided 4,500 gallons of fuel for a 150-hour test in a piston aircraft engine manufactured by Lycoming Engines.
Some findings from the tests include:
- Swift fuel demonstrated 13% more energy per gallon than 100 low-lead (100LL) fuel.
- Swift fuel demonstrated normal engine wear as compared to 100LL.
- Swift fuel demonstrated lower fuel system deposits as compared to 100LL.
The full report can be found on the FAA’s website. For more information: SwiftEnterprises.com
13% more energy per gallon (than 100LL) is a big difference; more distance… less fuel. If there’s a higher cost per/gal, the additional 13% efficiency will help greatly. If you look at the FAA report and see the lack of deposits in the intake and exhaust valves, you’ll note another major benefit of this fuel. Fewer deposits; not just lead deposits, will lead to lower maintenance costs and less cylinder failures in either high or lower compression engines. It could be a major plus for all piston aircraft.
Let’s hope the Swift 100SF manufactures are able to utilize the bio-fuel process. (Swift will not actually make your fuel, but issues a license to do so, which will create competition amongst producers and retailers). This way, as oil prices increase, as the economy strengthens, we won’t be paying $7-$9/gal or higher as we will with 100LL when oils reaches $85/bbl and higher. Unfortunately any avgas that utilizes a petroleum base will be at the mercy of oil prices. With Swift 100SF, we have the option of a biofuel made from a feedstock that is not directly tied to the price of oil.
6 years and still not using bio fuel…..just mixed chemicals….not hard.
“It is noted that trace materials found in this Swift binary blend may differ from those that arise from manufacturing of the components from a biomass fermentation process and will probably differ depending on sugar source and bio-enzymes selected. Trace materials, even at the 100-ppm level, can impact engine performance.”
What is the estimated cost per gallon?