Phase 1 testing of four possible replacements for 100LL begins this month at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City. The four unleaded fuels — one from Shell, one from TOTAL, and two from Swift Fuels — will undergo laboratory and rig testing to analyze a number of factors, including materials compatibility […]
Aviation Fuel
Shell Aviation: A decade of research continues
Last December, Shell Aviation revealed that it was the first major oil company to develop a lead-free replacement for 100LL. The lead-free formulation is the result of 10 years of “exhaustive R&D,” according to company officials. While some worry that large companies will forsake GA as it is such as small segment of the fuels market, Shell […]
Search for 100LL replacement raises many questions
When I started to write this post on unleaded avgas, I sat down to read about the upcoming evaluation program for four candidate fuels. The more I read the more questions it raised. For instance, why does Swift Fuels have two candidates? But the biggest question concerned the percentage of the piston aviation fleet that the new […]
New self-serve fuel facility opens at 3CK
A new above ground fuel facility offering pilots the ability to refuel their own aircraft has opened at the Lake in the Hills Airport (3CK) in Illinois. The facility, which allows the airport to offer fuel sales at any time of the night and day, consists of two 10,000-gallon steel double-wall tanks which weigh in at […]
The future of fuels
Fuel is the lifeblood of aircraft and pilots. Most aircraft need it to power their engines; pilots need it, in the form of oxygen and proper nutrition, to power themselves. The November issues of General Aviation News will turn the spotlight on fuels — all kinds — and look at the current state of affairs, as well as what […]
Using physics to fuel safely
A few weeks ago I received an email with a cartoon of a mature lady sitting back with a glass of wine. The caption read, “Another perfect day, and I never had to use algebra once.” I smiled a little, but then got to thinking about how much we use math and science in our […]
Crown Consulting tapped by FAA to help in search for unleaded avgas
The FAA has awarded Crown Consulting a five-year $12.5 million contract to assist the agency’s Aviation Fuel and Engine Test Facility (AFETF) at the William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center in performing research, test, and engineering analysis to develop standards and aid in selecting unleaded gasoline for general aviation. The company “will play a critical part in the scientific […]
Synergy Flight Center at BMI joins Avfuel network
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Synergy Flight Center at Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal (BMI), recently gained approval to sell fuel at the airport and has since joined the Avfuel Branded FBO Network to offer Avfuel Contract Fuel and AVTRIP Rewards. Led by owner/CEO Andrew Dustman, Synergy Flight Center began as a flight school and maintenance operation. Dustman, […]
Questions abound on FAA’s news about alternative fuels
By DEAN BILLING. Was it only me, or did anyone else find the press release by the FAA announcing that it has selected four fuels for further testing to replace 100LL this fall to be a bit peculiar? In case you you missed it, the official press release from the FAA is here. Articles also appeared […]