Fuel and the Environment

Overview

Environmental concerns related to general aviation have not received the attention as other modes of transportation.  Other areas of our society have imposed noise, emission and economy requirements that have, to date, not touched aviation.

There have been several threats of regulation over the years but other than some research on how to reduce emissions and reduce the maximum allowed lead additive in aviation gasoline, general aviation has not addressed environmental concerns.  General aviation has successfully extended the ultimate day of reckoning for many decades, however EAA believes that our time has just about run out, and our ways need to be changed.

EAA has been involved, since the early 1980’s, when formal certification work for use of automotive gasoline in small aircraft began. EAA has been a member of various working groups, including the American Standard Test Method (ASTM) aviation fuel committee and the US Coordinating Research Council (CRC).   

EAA has maintained its involvement in the research of alternative aviation fuels and in the testing of the various fuels used in automobiles in aircraft.  EAA’s primary focus has been on maintaining the auto gas certification for aircraft.  With the recent creation of the Light Sport Aircraft category the transition to engines those use automobile gasolines, that are lighter, quieter, lower emission and better fuel economy than traditional aviation engines, has started.

The original goal of EAA’s fuel efforts was:  To utilize the largest pool of gasoline thereby ensuring the most affordable and environmentally acceptable fuel is available to aircraft owners.

In other words, aviation is not big enough to lead a fuel transition, but by using the largest pool of fuel available our aircraft can keep flying.  Because of how environmental regulations drive what is produced, the largest pool available is likely to be the most environmentally acceptable.

As of late, the automotive industry has made many changes that have resulted in lower emissions, quieter cars, use of alternative fuels and even transition to electric power.  This transition began by reducing size and weight of engines and using the technologies available to increase mileage and reduce emissions.  More are transitioning to hybrid technologies to further improve efficiencies and reduce emissions.  The next step on the horizon is a transition to pure electric.

Today, EAA’s efforts are focused on working with a coalition of associations including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the General Aviation Manufactures Association (GAMA) to focus on transitioning to more environmentally friendly products while addressing the needs of the legacy fleet.  Transitioning for new products makes it difficult to “keep’em flying,” but EAA is working to educate and ensure that members are aware of the challenges, promote the development of alternatives, provide the stage of “Oshkosh,” and advocate and represent your needs with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and fuel suppliers