The FAA has given the nod to UL100E, the unleaded aviation fuel for piston-engine aircraft developed by LyondellBasell Industries/VP Racing, to advance to full-scale engine and flight testing.
The fuel successfully passed a 150-hour engine durability test under the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI), a collaborative industry/government testing program, according to FAA officials.
Agency officials note the LyondellBasell/VP Racing UL100E is the first unleaded fuel to pass the PAFI 150-hour durability test phase.
The unleaded fuel will now move into the PAFI full-scale engine and airframe testing, which consists of 10 engines and eight aircraft. That testing is expected to be completed in 12 to 18 months.
“This is another important milestone for a safe general aviation transition to unleaded fuel and for our goal to eliminate lead emissions by the end of 2030. The joint industry/government effort continues to make strong progress,” said Lirio Liu, executive director of aircraft certification service for the FAA and government co-chair of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) government-industry partnership.
General aviation advocates were quick to applaud the news.
“LyondellBasell/VP Racing’s achievement marks an important waypoint on the path to a more environmentally friendly future for aviation fuel and demonstrates the progress we’ve made through our government and aviation community partnership,” said Curt Castagna, president of the National Air Transport Association (NATA) and industry co-chair of the EAGLE initiative.
There are two paths towards a new unleaded fuel: Through an STC, which General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) achieved in 2022 with its G100UL and Swift Fuels is still in the process of achieving. To use these fuels, an aircraft owners must buy an STC.
The second is the PAFI program, launched in 2014 to test unleaded fuel candidates.
“PAFI rigorously tests candidate fuels through various phases, including evaluation of toxicology and environmental considerations, material compatibility, engine durability and detonation, and aircraft performance and operability,” EAGLE officials explained. “Information gained from the testing supports the development of an industry consensus ASTM International production specification.”
Fuels that pass through the PAFI approval process will receive a fleet authorization, which will allow all general aviation aircraft to use the fuel without buying an STC.
FAA officials note that the goal of PAFI is to “test, not produce, fuels that can ensure both compatibility and safety within the piston-engine aircraft fleet, as well as commercial viability for deployment.”
There is one other fuel still in the initial PAFI testing process, from Phillips 66/Acton. It is set to begin its “final initial phase” testing soon.
Find out more about PAFI testing of new unleaded fuels at FAA.gov/Unleaded.
There are 2 paths to unleaded fuel, what are you guys smoking. Everybody but you guys know there is a third path we can start now and reduce the amount of poison lead general Aviation is spewing in the air creating terrible publicity against general aviation which the folks at AOPA don’t even consider, as if they’re trying to kill general aviation. If we start making UL94 available at all airports and consider replacing it at smaller airports, which really don’t really need any 100 octane fuel. Right now we could start a path that would end this 30 year old nightmare. The big lie out there that says that the 30% that need 100 octane fuel can’t run on 94 octane fuel is actually not true and everybody would be so surprised to see how fast the solutions would come to make 94 octane work if the end of lead use came suddenly. With 94 available everywhere we just might save general aviation from catastrophe of it own making.
Or ask the hard headed US engine manufacturers to once and for all make their engines capable of using UL94. My high compression Rotax 912 happily uses the garbage you get at the gas station (in fact it is the recommended fuel). I just wish I could get the same stuff, without ethanol, but for aviation use as they can get in Europe.
Deer Valley airport in Arizona, just announced they have & are able to sell 100ul gas to general aviation for $9.00 per gallon !!! such a deal !!! If this is allowed to continue, general aviation as we know it will be extinct, and pilots with airplanes will not even be able to give them away, This has to be stopped immediately if not sooner. This kind of greed is not good or will not be tolerated in the USA ever !!! Even at half price, $4.50 per gallon is gross !! I think we have tolerated enough of this greed to last us a life time, either we get American gas prices or we will boycott these creeps and go with auto fuel with no ethanol 94 octane UL. Kiss of creeps..
The least expensive, most widely-available unleaded aviation fuels are mogas and diesel. Been approved for aviation use for decades.