FAA: California Airport Violating Grant Assurances

Removal of 100LL cited in violation.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, April 02, 2025 at 11:43 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Trade Winds Aviation, a growing flight training organization at Reid-Hillview, has taken a proactive stance towards being a good neighbor to the surrounding community. Trade Winds Aviation

Key Takeaways:

The FAA ruled that Santa Clara County's ban on 100LL (leaded aviation fuel) at Reid-Hillview and San Martin airports violated federal grant assurances.
The county's obligation not to discriminate against any type of airport user or grant exclusive rights was breached by prohibiting the sale and use of leaded fuel, a condition of receiving FAA funding.
The ban was a response to environmental and health concerns, with the county having a long-term goal to potentially close Reid-Hillview airport once grant assurances expire in 2031.
Santa Clara County has been given 30 days to provide a corrective action plan to reverse the ban and allow the sale and use of 100LL fuel, including self-fueling.

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A lawsuit filed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) on behalf of flight schools and pilots at two airports in Santa Clara County, Calif., over the ban on 100 low lead (100LL) fuel has come to a close, with the Federal Aviation Administration determining that the ban put the county in violation of grant assurances.

According to the FAA: “The FAA issued a formal determination that Santa Clara County improperly banned the sale and use of leaded aviation fuel at its two of its airports – Reid-Hillview and San Martin,” the agency stated to FLYING.