California’s Assembly and Senate closed out August by passing state bill CASB1193, which will prevent the sale, distribution, and availability of leaded avgas after January 1, 2031. The bill’s date corresponds with the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions Initiative’s (EAGLE) target date of the end of 2030 for the transition to a lead-free aviation fuel. California’s governor has until September 30 to sign or veto the law.
Introduced in February by State Senator Menijivar, the bill originally proposed a ban on the sale or distribution of leaded avgas in a phased approach, beginning at California airports in disadvantaged communities starting in 2026 and throughout the state by 2030. In June, EAA joined with AOPA, NATA, NBAA, VAI, and the California Pilots Association in a letter cautioning issues of federal preemption and safety concerns with individual state actions creating a patchwork of fuel availability. Due in part to this input, the final legislation contains the statewide elimination of leaded fuel sale in 2031, mirroring the unified effort of the EAGLE initiative.
General aviation remains committed to the goal of eliminating the use of leaded aviation fuels for piston-engine aircraft in the U.S. by the end of 2030, or sooner, without adversely impacting the safe and efficient operation of the existing fleet. An important consideration in this safe and smart transition is avoiding uncertainties regarding fuel availability created by unilateral actions from states and local municipalities.
At AirVenture 2024, EAGLE provided an update on the industry's status and ongoing efforts. A common theme throughout the presentation by the EAGLE executive members is the need for a safe and smart transition to unleaded fuels, which includes not prematurely banning the existing fuel. The group stressed the need for a supply of 100LL to be kept available for aircraft and engines that need it to fly safely, a point addressed in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act.
The EAGLE briefing also included updates on the three fuels currently in play. G100UL from General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) and 100R from Swift Fuels are pursuing Supplemental Type Certificates (STC). GAMI received their broad approved model list STC in 2022 and is now developing distribution. Swift is expecting its STC later this year. LyondellBasell/VP Racing is pursuing FAA Fleet Authorization for their UL100E fuel through the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) testing, having moved into full-scale engine testing this past November.
Additional information about the EAGLE initiative, progress on the development and transition to unleaded fuels, and a video of the full AirVenture presentation are available on the EAGLE website at flyEAGLE.org.
