The Aviation Fuel Club has released initial results from a study that shows between 80% and 83% of the current fleet of piston engine aircraft could safely operate on autogas. First approved by the FAA as an aviation fuel in 1982, autogas (also known as mogas) is ethanol-free, lead-free automotive fuel. Either 87 or 91 […]
Aviation Fuel
A roadmap to finding a new fuel
The transition to an unleaded aviation fuel is still years away, according to the final report from the FAA’s Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee (UAT ARC). And whether it is GAMI’s G100UL, Swift Fuels biofuel, or some other alternative, all candidate fuels require “significant assessment” by the FAA to ensure safety, according to the […]
New aircraft fueling certification training available
Aviation Training Academy (ATA) has launched its new online aircraft fueling certification training program directed at FBOs, corporate flight departments, municipalities, fueling agents, line service technicians, or anyone who fuels aircraft or has a fueling operation. The course curriculum includes detailed topics such as Specifications & Distribution of Aviation Fuels, Procedures for Fuel Receipt, Aviation […]
Search for unleaded avgas should turn to Sweden
The U.S. government’s sputtering search for an unleaded fuel for piston-powered general aviation aircraft should focus on Sweden, where the stuff has been made since 1991, says Lars Hjelmberg, founder of Sweden’s Hjelmco Oil. In a report at VenicePatch.com, he contends that more than 90% of the world’s piston aircraft can safely use his unleaded […]
Committee reports on challenges to replacing 100LL
A just-released report from the Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee concludes that a drop-in replacement for leaded 100LL is not available, adding that an additional six years is needed to assess possible replacements. Known as the UAT ARC, the committee is a collaborative industry-government task force representing aircraft and engine manufacturers, fuel producers and […]
The effect of lower octane fuel on your airplane
Last week I was watching TV when I heard a loud clap of thunder and saw a flash. This was followed by the lights going out and the very sickening sound of electronics going bye-bye from the computer desk. The next morning the lights were back on, but the computer had sacrificed its life to […]
Response to Cessna Pilots article on avgas
The June 2012 issue of the Cessna Pilots Association Magazine featured an article from Jim Cavanagh titled “Get the Lead Out!” The third part in a series, it dealt with alternatives to 100LL. While it includes a good review of efforts to find an unleaded 100-octane replacement, we felt the need to weigh in on […]
Autogas: Better than ever
Among the myths that one occasionally hears regarding autogas (aka mogas) is that it is of poor quality compared to avgas. We asked Todd L. Petersen, owner of more than 100 auto gas STCs, to comment on the changes he’s seen in gasoline quality in the three decades since the FAA approved the first autogas […]
XN Air joins Avfuel network
XN Air at Spokane International Airport (GEG) in Washington state, acquired by Ross Aviation earlier this year, has become an Avfuel-branded FBO. The FBO features on-field U.S. Customs service and an executive terminal located mid-field (off taxiway G) with a variety of amenities, including a private lounge, private showers, coffee bar, conference room, free wi-fi […]