Unleaded Fuel Debate Heats Up in Oshkosh

Tensions flare during a forum discussion on an unleaded replacement for avgas at EAA AirVenture.

Russ Niles

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 03:52 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Many off-airport landings are the result of fuel mismanagement. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A forum on unleaded avgas replacement saw a clash between GAMI, asserting its G100UL fuel is fully vetted and ready for immediate distribution via STC, and EAGLE members (like GAMA), who insist on a broader transparent and peer-reviewed process, such as ASTM standards.
GAMI's G100UL has commercial quantities (1.3 million gallons) ready for sale and has received positive operational feedback from users like AOPA, who found it comparable to or better than 100LL.
Despite GAMI's claims of readiness, the EAGLE initiative is increasingly focused on maintaining the supply of 100LL, while the PAFI program continues slow testing of another candidate fuel, and some states are pursuing legislative bans on 100LL.

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OSHKOSH, Wisconsin—Tensions flared briefly at a forum on progress toward an unleaded replacement for avgas Monday at EAA AirVenture.

During the public comment period after formal presentations, Tim Roehl, president of General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI), challenged a couple of points made during the presentations of members and support staff from the End Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions. He told the crowd—smaller than in previous years—that contrary to assertions made during the formal part of the forum, GAMI’s G100UL is indeed ready for distribution and sale.