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The End Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) group has issued a statement summarizing its perspective on the forum it held Monday at AirVenture. The group emphasized the necessity of maintaining access to 100LL while developing a new unleaded replacement. It also reiterated that although an ASTM fuel specification is not mandatory, it would facilitate convincing all stakeholders, particularly those in transportation, storage, and dispensing, of the fuel's suitability.
“While an ASTM International specification is not required for a fuel to be certified, its absence may make it more challenging for the market to accept,” Curt Castagna, president and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association and EAGLE co-chair, stated. “OEMs, airports, FBOs, and other businesses across the entire aviation supply chain have historically relied on ASTM for the testing of a broad range of materials compatibility aspects and to establish quality control standards for distribution. Stakeholders also consider confidence and demand in making business decisions.”
Among the three fuels still under consideration—General Aviation Modifications Inc.’s G100UL, Swift Fuels’ 100R, and LyondellBasell/VP Racing’s UL100E—only G100UL will not receive an ASTM specification. However, it is also the only fuel already certified by the FAA through a supplementary type certificate and has been produced in significant quantities. GAMI licensee Vitol Aviation has 1.3 million gallons of this fully approved fuel stored in tanks in Louisiana.
