By DEAN BILLING. California was the first state to attempt to remove the lead from 100LL by lawsuit. Unfortunately, the result of the unsuccessful CEH lawsuit only increased the cost of 100LL in the state. Now, along comes Oregon, which wants to tax the lead out of 100LL. I have a feeling this method will appeal to […]
100LL
STC in the works for G100UL
While the government begins its testing of four potential 100LL replacements, George Braly and Tim Roehl of General Aviation Modifications Inc. in Oklahoma just finished up yet another test of their unleaded 100-octane avgas — G100UL — at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The fuel underwent flight testing and engine block testing in one of the school’s […]
DeltaHawk unveils diesel engine for certified aircraft
If avgas, also known as 100LL, disappeared tomorrow, what would you use to power your airplane? The folks at DeltaHawk Engines have an answer to that: A diesel engine designed for aviation. During AirVenture the company showed off the new design mounted in a Cirrus SR20. The Cirrus is the proof-of-concept model and during the show […]
US House Committee fuels future of unleaded avgas
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee last week approved funding to support continued research into the transition to unleaded avgas for piston-engine aircraft. According to a report on the National Business Aviation Association website, the appropriation was part of the larger fiscal year 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill, which was approved on a […]
Airworthy Autogas to produce unleaded gasoline for aviation
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Airworthy AutoGas, LLC will produce and distribute Airworthy AutoGas, a high purity, low vapor pressure, ethanol-free, 93 octane, premium unleaded automotive gasoline, beginning in the Fall of 2013. “A growing number of General Aviation aircraft do not require 100LL AVGAS, or a 100 octane unleaded drop-in replacement. That, coupled with the scarcity of […]
GAMI’s search for an avgas alternative
Recently, my wife and I decided to take a road trip to Texas to visit friends and fill up on good Cajun and Tex-Mex food. On our return, I stopped to visit GAMI — General Aviation Modifications, Inc. — in Ada, Oklahoma. GAMI builds and sells a line of parts designed to improve performance for […]
Our fuels expert visits Swift Fuels
Swift Fuels has been working on a 100 octane unleaded avgas for a number of years. I have been, shall we say, less than enthusiastic about the company’s work for various reasons. However, as of late, the company seems to be making some real progress, so I drove down to Indiana to visit its facility. […]
Connecting flights
The end of the year is a time of reflection. As 2011 winds down, my family and I experienced an unreal 19-day stretch that put a great deal into perspective about life and aviation. Here’s a peek into a public journal: Nov. 10: My wife, Deb, and I were in the Indianapolis International Airport when […]
Oil giant pulls out of 100LL business
UPDATE: Calls from AOPA and EAA Tuesday morning inform us Ben’s column is incorrect. Exxon-Mobil will continue the manufacture of unbranded 100LL fuel. Exxon-Mobil will discontinue branded fuel sales under the Exxon Avitat flag. We are awaiting confirmation from Exxon’s public relations people. I recently read that Exxon-Mobil stopped manufacturing and selling 100LL. (I tried […]