Aviation Community Livid With Santa Clara County Over Looming 100LL Ban

County Board of Supervisors announced that the new regulations take effect January 1.

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 06:35 PM ET

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When the 100LL ban came down in Santa Clara County, Trade Winds Aviation replaced the 100LL with unleaded Swift94UL avgas, but not all airplanes can run it. [Photo: Walt Gyger]

Key Takeaways:

Santa Clara County has banned 100LL leaded aviation fuel at Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV) effective January 1, 2022, citing an airborne lead study linking airport operations to elevated lead levels in local children.
Airport businesses and pilots dispute the county's health claims, labeling the ban as a political tactic to force the airport's closure, pointing to other lead sources in the area and additional county pressures like restrictive lease agreements.
National aviation advocacy groups have criticized the ban, expressing concerns about pilot safety due to potential misfueling risks and calling for a unified approach to the industry's transition to unleaded fuels.
County officials confirm the ban is irreversible and part of a broader strategy, supported by Supervisor Cindy Chavez, to achieve "lead-free operations" and potentially facilitate early airport closure before 2031.

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Airport businesses and pilots who use Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV) are calling Santa Clara County’s decision to ban 100LL as of January 1, 2022, a political move to force the closure of the airport and not a health issue, as touted by persons pushing airport closure.

The 180-acre airport operated by Santa Clara County is located in east San Jose. In August 2021, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors discussed the findings published in an airborne lead study report that they say demonstrated dangerously high blood lead levels (BLL) in local children.