Background and Latest

Background Information -- The Basics


Wikipedia entry about the history of avgas and the current situation.  Frequently updated.  Click here.

A short but complete description of the situation from EPI Inc, an engine company.  June 2010. Click here.

An analysis of the situation.  It is a personal perspective, Revision Sept 2010.  Click here.

Lycoming Engine's Aviation Fuels:  Issues and Answers briefing document.  Click here.

A video of AOPA's explanation of the problem, and its position. July 2010.  Click here.

American Bonanza Society's Future Fuels article series.  Click here.

The Cirrus Aircraft position statement, from its President.  June 2010. Click here.


Background Information -- Beyond the Basics


The FAA Reauthorization Bill:  The leadership enabling language and the funding line item.  Click here.  The entire bill.  Click here.

A summary of the Report to Industry published by the AvGas Committee of the Coordinating Research
Council.  June 2010.  Click here.  For the full Report, Click here.  {Warning -- 10MB file!}

Paul Bertorelli's comments on the matter at www.avweb.com.  {You may have to enter a search on "avgas"}.  Click here.

AOPA President, Craig Fuller, opines on the avgas question in his President's Position Articles for AOPA Magazine.  Click here.

AOPA video provides a comprehensive explanation of the EPA Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Actions,
the AvGas {nee FAST} Coalition response, and an update on the entire situation.  Click here to view the video.

Innospec Assures Availability of Tetraethyl Lead, EAA 7-16-10.  Click here.

The ASTM Avgas Specification -- D910-11, revised May 2011.  Click here.

An Aviator's Avgas Technical Briefing and a Comparison of Candidate Fuels.  Click here. 

The Alaskan Air Carriers Assn's response to the EPA's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking -- a must read.  Click here.



Recent Events and Announcements

Dec, 2011:

Robert Ragar, Clean 100 Octane Coalition to the Unleaded Avgas Transition - Aviation Rulemaking Committee, conducted a
briefing for representatives in early December.  Click here to read or download a short summary.

Battle over use of leaded avgas in California takes turn against avgas users as District Court Judge denies injunction
sought by producers and distributors.  For the story click here.

Late Sept, 2011:

Off Topic:  Jon Sisk, President of MMOPA and Clean 100 representative, writes President Obama to take user fees off the table. 
A very well written piece, and particularly appropriate to business flyers.  Click here to read or download.
AOPA organizes a White House petition which you can sign by clicking here.

Late Sept, 2011:

ARC discusses its progress at AOPA Summit in Hartford.  AvWeb interviews Michael Kraft, GM of Lycoming Engines and ARC member,
about the progress.  Click here to listen and/or download.

Early Sept, 2011:

FAA announces approval for 100VLL.  Click here for a copy of the announcement SAIB.
Click here for an explanation of the approval and what it means for pilots and their airplanes. 

Late August, 2011:

The Clean 100 names a new representative to the UAT-ARC.  He is Robert Ragar of the Alaska Air Carriers Assn.  Robert is an
executive at Everts Air, the largest avgas consumer in North America {and probably the world}.

Late July, 2011:

Air Venture 2011:   Kent Misegades, chief advocate for an ethanol free mogas, presented the case at AV 2011. 
Click here for the presentation.

17 July, 2011:

Clean 100 representative and Piper Malibu/Mirage Association president Jon Sisk has provided the following
statement from the FAA, with their permission, regarding unleaded fuel certification:

"We (FAA) fully support all aviation fuel approval pathways and we are committed to providing the necessary
support for both the UAT-ARC and all other fuels certification projects."

This statement of support specifically includes the STC process advocated by the Clean 100 during Air Venture 2010. 
Click here for Jon's comparison of the two tracks -- that being developed by the UAT-ARC, and the STC process.

In addition, FAA has hired a petrochemical fuels consultant to support its efforts, fulfilling a commitment made by
FAA to the Clean 100 at Air Venture 2010.

23 June, 2011:

Jon Sisk reports on progress with the FAA ARC.  Click here for the audio track. 
Click here for the accompanying slide presentation.

10 June, 2011:

Bertorelli cautions skepticism when viewing the potential of biomass based fuels for aviation.  Click here.

26 May, 2011:

Friends of the Earth threatens new lawsuit against lead in aviation fuel.  Click here.

25 May, 2011:

Swift Enterprises announces it has achieved ASTM approval for a test fuel specification. 
AvWeb comments appended. Click here.

Michael Kraft, GM of Lycoming Engines, indicates progress is being made in an article penned for Piper Magazine.  Click here.

California-based, Center for Environmental Health sues California FBOs for non-compliance with the state's environmental laws pertaining to environmental lead.  Click here for AvWeb materials explaining this matter, including an intro piece and two podcasts.

In connection with his membership in the FAA ARC, Michael Kraft, GM of Lycoming Engines, presented a background of the problem and its status at a German aeronautics convention.  Click here to view this terrific video summary.

Read the recent push for a multiple fuels solution, advanced by GA News.  Includes a rebuttal written by a representative to the Clean 100, Mr. Larry Gaines, leader of Bonanzas to Oshkosh. Click here. 
Read the results of a Dual Fuels Survey conducted by AvWeb in March, 2011.  Click here.

In Feb 2011, FAA announces the formation of the Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee {ARC} to advise FAA how to certify a replacement fuel for 100LL.  The Clean 100 Octane Coalition is invited to attend.  Click here for related materials.

During the late Winter 2011, the Clean 100 hosted teleconferences presented by Lycoming Engines, Swift Enterprises and General Aviation Modification , Inc, in which the status of candidate fuels and the on-going effort to find a certification process were discussed in great detail.  Please click here to be directed to the teleconference materials.

Organizations and Individuals respond to AC20-24C, FAA's draft replacement guidance for certifying fuels and lubricants. Click here.

AOPA ePilot series dedicated to the avgas issue.  Updated frequently.  Click here.

1 May, 2011:

The ASTM Avgas Specification -- D910-11, revised May 2011.  Click here.

Archives

Click here to view older material.

If you are ready to voice your support for a 100 octane replacement fuel, please click here.