Unleaded Avgas

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 01:38 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The new unleaded fuel (G100UL) adds significant weight (e.g., 12.5 lbs for 50 gallons), which is not negligible and directly impacts an aircraft's useful load.
Concerns exist that the new fuel will be expensive due to a potential "unregulated monopoly," leading to significantly higher costs over time.
The reader questions the promised maintenance benefits of the new fuel, stating that issues like spark plug fouling are not universal and routine maintenance costs are unlikely to decrease.
There is a reported risk that the new fuel could damage aircraft paint if spilled.

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I enjoy your very good magazine quite a lot, but…I just read your editorial in November’s issue, “Bravo Foxtrot Delta,” as well as your reply in December’s UNICOM.

You discuss in both cases the added weight’s effects on unusable fuel for empty weight only. Clearly the bigger issue is the added weight’s effects on full-fuel takeoff weight and useful load. My 160-hp PA-28-161 Warrior II holds 50 gallons of fuel. Clearly, the new weight and balance (W&B) calculation for unleaded fuel will now add 12½ pounds to the fuel load.