Just as aviation fuel prices have begun to descend below the stratosphere, new concerns are emerging about regulating lead content. With the Environmental Protection Agency citing new mandates this summer to the Clean Air Act designed to cut toxic metal content in the air, the AOPA is proactively presenting general aviation as a tiny contributor to air pollution. According to the pilot group, piston-powered aircraft (using 100LL fuel) contribute 0.13 percent of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. AOPA also cited the NextGen air traffic initiative and advancing technologies in general aviation, such as lighter composite airframes and full authority digital engine controls (fadec), as lowering emissions yet further in years to come. As evidence of the economic sensitivity that any new environmental regulation might have on general aviation, AOPA cited the recent spike in fuel prices, during which flying hours fleetwide decreased by 9 percent. AOPA wrote: “Any EPA regulation that results in a direct cost to GA will have a similar negative effect on the industry.” AOPA measured GA’s direct and indirect contribution to the national economy as $150 billion.
GA Advocates Try to Place Perspective on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Key Takeaways:
- The EPA is introducing new regulations targeting lead content, prompting AOPA to advocate for general aviation (GA) as a minor contributor to air pollution, accounting for just 0.13% of greenhouse gases.
- AOPA highlights that advancing GA technologies like NextGen and composite airframes are set to further reduce emissions.
- The organization warns that new environmental regulations imposing direct costs would negatively impact the GA industry, citing its significant $150 billion contribution to the national economy and prior negative effects from fuel price spikes.
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