This week saw the introduction of G100UL, GAMI’s (General Aviation Modifications, Inc.) unleaded avgas, at California’s Reid-Hillview Airport. As stated in its press release, the County of Santa Clara has signed a contract with Vitol, the producer of the G100UL, and received a shipment of the fuel, which is now on sale for $6.99 per gallon for full-service fueling. In addition, GAMI is offering a promotion on their STC for Bay Area pilots.
Santa Clara banned the sale of 100LL in January 2022 and has since been offering only Swift Fuels’ UL94 for piston aircraft. GAMI’s G100UL and Swift Fuels’ UL94 are now on sale at the airport. Both fuels require the installation of a supplemental type certificate (STC) on certified aircraft before the use of the fuel. Aircraft owners looking to install either STC should be fully aware of all previous modifications and STCs installed on their aircraft. As with any STC installation, the installer must ensure that the new STC is safe to install, considering any previous modifications.
The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative recently released an update providing the progress on each fuel candidate pursuing FAA authorization via the FAA’s STC or Fleet Authorization programs. GAMI received their broad approved model list (AML) STC for all certified piston engines and airplanes (rotorcraft in progress) in 2022.
The FAA recently granted Swift Fuels an STC for the use of their 100R fuel in Cessna 172 R and S-model aircraft powered by Lycoming IO-360-L2A engines, with many additional engines and airframes being evaluated for approval in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, LyondellBasell/VP Racing’s UL100E is progressing through the PAFI pathway, having completed about 25 percent of critical materials compatibility and full-scale engine detonation and performance testing. Both Swift Fuels and LyondellBasell/VP Racing have also begun working through ASTM International on developing an industry consensus production specification for their respective fuels. Additional information can be found at FlyEAGLE.org.
