EAGLE Initiative Shows Measured Progress, Fuel Contenders Say at Oshkosh

With four candidate fuels pursuing fleet authorization, OEMs, distributors, and airports are ready to test them.

Julie Boatman

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 11:11 AM ET

Verified

The replacement fuel(s) for 100LL will likely be among four contenders in the market. [Credit: Julie Boatman]

Key Takeaways:

The EAGLE Initiative is actively working towards transitioning general aviation away from leaded avgas by 2030, with an upcoming EPA endangerment finding expected to trigger a structured, multi-year FAA implementation process.
Four distinct entities—Swift Fuels, GAMI, LyondellBassell/VP Racing, and Afton Chemical/Phillips 66—are developing unleaded avgas replacements.
These candidate fuels are in varying stages of development and availability, from Swift's UL94 already in use and GAMI's blanket STC fuel scaling production, to newer fuels undergoing PAFI certification and extensive testing.
Manufacturers and industry partners are eager to test and validate these new fuels to ensure their safety and security for the General Aviation fleet.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The EAGLE Initiative moves forward at a measured pace, according to a panel of constituents that presented an update at the Theater in the Woods on Monday at EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh.

EAGLE—which stands for Eliminate Aviation Gas Lead Emissions—includes partners from aviation industry associations, the FAA, fuel producers and distributors, airport operators, and local community and environmental experts. With the aim to transition away from leaded avgas—100LL—by 2030, EAGLE has the twin missions of supporting development of replacement fuels and advocating for the continued supply of current fuels until the OEMs, operators, and pilots feel secure in the safety and security of the new fuel source(s).