Piper Aircraft Evaluating Unleaded Auto Gasoline

Stephen Pope

Tuesday, July 09, 2013 at 08:50 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Piper Aircraft is conducting test flights of a Lycoming-powered Archer using 93-octane premium automotive gasoline, seeking an environmentally friendly alternative to 100LL fuel.
This initiative involves Airworthy AutoGas, which plans to produce and distribute a new high-purity, ethanol-free 93-octane unleaded fuel at airports nationwide starting this fall.
The Archer's Lycoming O-360-A4M engine is already approved for 93-octane unleaded fuel, and Piper plans further operational tests, including cross-country applications, aiming to make flying more accessible and affordable for general aviation.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Piper Aircraft has made a series of test flights in a Lycoming-powered Archer running on 93-octane premium automotive gasoline as the Vero Beach, Florida, manufacturer seeks a more environmentally friendly alternative to 100LL fuel.

For the tests Piper worked with Airworthy AutoGas of Phoenix to evaluate a new high-purity unleaded fuel due to go on sale this fall. The Piper Archer is powered by a single 180 horsepower Lycoming O-360-A4M engine that is approved for use of 93-octane unleaded fuel.