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 and aviation journalist.
A group of concerned citizens in Vero Beach, Fla., calling itself the Airport Oversight Committee, is moving forward on plans to measure lead emissions at public parks near the airport. As described by the group’s spokesman, David Risinger last fall, the intent is to investigate the potential health risks to the public caused by avgas-burning aircraft operated from the airfield, one of the busiest training operations in the country. As reported recently in TCPalm, funds are now being secured for the study which is estimated to cost $10,000.
In the article, Risinger notes that “Seventy percent of general aviation aircraft are capable of running on ‘mogas’ (unleaded aviation gasoline) upon being issued a supplemental type certificate. Presently, mogas is not offered for sale or consumption at the Vero Beach (Municipal) Airport although it is presently being offered throughout the United States by more than 150 general aviation airports as an alternative to leaded aviation gasoline.”
As your bloggers have often stated, the increased use of Mogas not only reduces the cost of fuel and maintenance for the 70%-80% of piston engine plane owners who can use it, but every gallon of Mogas consumed is one less gallon of leaded avgas that clearly is a cause for concern for some residents living near this important GA airport.
another group of “wusses”