What's Being Done About the Growing Movement Toward Unleaded Avgas?

Industry associations have been working on its development for piston-powered aircraft for a decade.

Tuesday, February 08, 2022 at 10:09 AM ET

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The use of 100LL in piston-powered airplanes will likely come to an end soon, but the transition needs to be made thoughtfully and with an eye on safety. [Photo: Julie Boatman]

Key Takeaways:

The transition away from leaded 100LL avgas is accelerating due to EPA initiatives and local airport bans, creating urgency for a new unleaded solution.
While promising unleaded fuel candidates exist for various engine types, including higher-compression models, a fully tested, fleet-wide "drop-in" replacement is not yet available.
AOPA and industry partners are actively working to ensure a smooth, safe, and fair transition, advocating for continued 100LL availability during the changeover and educating stakeholders.

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FLYING has followed the progress toward the development and adoption of unleaded avgas for general aviation aircraft since the Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking against the use of leaded fuel in piston engines.

While it appeared that the FAA had gained a reprieve that would allow for the proper timeline for testing a range of fuels, we reported in December and January that a ban on 100LL has now gone into effect at a pair of airports in California—and more appeared ready to follow suit.