The ultimate goal? An unleaded drop-in replacement for 100LL, the avgas we use to power a large percentage of the general aviation fleet—and particularly one that serves the roughly one-third of piston airplanes that require at least 100 octane fuel.
Report on Lead Emissions Reduction for Piston-Engine Aircraft Released
Key Takeaways:
- The transition to an unleaded drop-in replacement for 100LL avgas faces significant challenges, including substantial infrastructure costs, complex FAA certification processes for engines and airframes, and issues with ethanol content in alternative fuels.
- A National Academies report advocates for a "multi-pathway approach" to reduce lead emissions, combining the development of lead-free fuels and new propulsion technologies with operational changes at airports and considerations for existing fuels and aircraft.
- Near-term mitigation strategies include altering pilot operating procedures, such as relocating and timing engine run-ups to reduce exhaust exposure, and increasing the availability and incentivizing the use of existing lower-lead or unleaded fuel alternatives.
- A long-term goal proposes that all newly certified gasoline-powered aircraft within the next decade be approved to operate with at least one ASTM-specified unleaded fuel.
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