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 replacements highlighted a significant dispute, with GAMI asserting its G100UL fuel is ready for distribution and sale via supplemental type certificate (STC) approval, a claim strongly opposed by the EAGLE initiative (GAMA), which demands approval through a broader, peer-reviewed consensus standard like ASTM.
Despite the disagreement, GAMI and refiner Vitol maintain that G100UL is vetted and ready, with Vitol holding 1.3 million gallons, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) reports positive operational experience with the fuel.
While some politicians push to ban 100LL in favor of G100UL, the EAGLE initiative is also focused on maintaining the supply of 100LL, and another unleaded fuel candidate continues to undergo slow testing under the congressionally mandated Piston Aviation Fuel Initiative (PAFI).

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.