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 suitable ethanol-free automotive gasoline in the marketplace, resulted in the development of Airworthy AutoGas,” said Mark Ellery, Airworthy’s Director of Business Development. “Bringing Airworthy AutoGas to the marketplace provides an alternative for the majority of General Aviation aircraft without compromising airworthiness. Our goal is to get pilots flying more, for less” Ellery added.
In recent years, the hazards associated with lead-containing aviation gasoline have been clearly demonstrated, and the FAA, in coordination with U.S. EPA, is taking the necessary steps toward eliminating, or at least reducing, lead in aviation gasoline; without compromising airworthiness.
Further, ethanol-free automotive gasoline was once widely available, and a safe and cost-effective alternative to 100LL for many aviators; however, automotive gasoline formulations have changed dramatically in recent years. More stringent national air quality and renewable fuel regulations have resulted in a dramatic increase in the use of ethanol as an emissions reducing oxygenate; this combined with inconsistent volatility characteristics between seasons, regions and geographies can make traditional automotive gasoline unsuitable in aircraft and potentially compromise airworthiness.
The quality of the fuel that General Aviation customers put in their tanks should be controlled for aviation use, because fuel characteristics affect engine and aircraft performance. Airworthy AutoGas accomplishes this by means of a patent pending formulation that meets or exceeds the requirements of ASTM D4814, Lycoming Engines SI-1070 ”S” specifications and the numerous EAA and Petersen Aviation Supplemental Type Certificates (STC).
Airworthy AutoGas, LLC, is a petroleum products blender and distributor dedicated to providing the highest quality gasoline, promoting General Aviation, and making flying more affordable.
Another choice for auto fuel will be welcome, the better documented quality should help alleviate the fears of some operators about mogas as well.
I hope that a refiner will produce the 94UL astm D7592-2010 fuel. ASTM could even amend the D910 spec to remove the minimum lead requirement, older versions of the spec. did not have a minimum only maximum allowable. The fuel would simply be a different octane rating like the grade 80 was. That would eliminate the need for the STC to operate on the fuel just like no changes are required to run 100ll in an 80,91/96 engine now. The cost of a tank is fairly small and used mainly as a reason to not carry other fuel, when the market is captive the retailer has no incentive to provide options,we need gas so we buy what they have.
This will definately be a boon to vintage aircraft operators like myself who like to support the local FBO, $6.00 per gallon avgas is a burden, even though my Luscombe only uses about 5 gph. Ethanol free mogas is available in my area at several stations for around $3.80 per gallon, but it is a hassle & safety issue to transport out to the airport.
We have already removed lead from all the cars in the nation.
At a ridiculous expense and with a multitude of problems.
Removing it from the GA fleet is like taking a grain of sand off the beach.
This is just a ridiculous effort by the tree hugging nut jobs that want to live in a utopia.
With all the lead that has been removed from the “environment” has anyone seen the incidents of cancer decline significantly, it at all?
The “payback”, if it even exist, is simply not worth the effort or expense or aggravation.
Don’t get me started on ethanol.
The danger is, avgas production is tiny and remains in decline. There is only one producer of TEL lead additive left and only a handful of avgas producers. When TEL disappears for simple economic reasons, that’s the end of avgas, and this has nothing to do with health concerns. We have all our eggs in one basket with avgas which is why this is such an important development, why mogas in general is needed at airports from this supplier or others.
I ‘ve used auto fuel in my 87 octane engine for 15 years with no problems, every 40 hours I use 5 gallons of 100ll, its a great combination.
The challenge is to get it into the market place. Since most FBOs have reduced to single storage tanks and one pump, how many are going to be willing to set up a second tank, or replace their 100LL with 93 Octane Mogas? I’ll buy it if there is a price break vs 100LL.
There are modestly-priced fuel systems out there. Mogas users typically are not buying 100+ gallons at a time, so smaller tanks are adequate. According to AirNav, there are now 119 airports selling mogas alongside avgas, and this number has been slowly but steadily rising the past few years. Every case of course is different.
I think what you may be missing is that they are trying to eliminate 100LL altogether. When that happens then the 100LL tanks will be used for this replacement. Engines that need lead will then be forced to use an additive that I see on the shelves of most auto stores now. I look forward to the change even though there is a dealer who sells ethanol free gas only 3 miles from my house. It is only about 30 cents more per gallon, but I still don’t understand how he gets away with it. I don’t know any other gas station that sells ethanol free gas anywhere.
That additive would first need to go through an STC process for every airplane/engine combination. I can not see anyone doing this and making a buck.
I don’t think I missed the attempted elimination of 100LL. But look at what the alphabet soups are all proposing. They demand a drop in 100LL replacement, regardless of the cost. Unfortunately, that’s what will be filling those 100LL tanks once 100LL dies an economic death when the manufacturer of TEL drops the product. Some of us have to live in the real world where we write checks to pay the fuel bill. For some reason, EAA and AOPA don’t want to recognize that. For them, apparently fuel prices don’t matter.
How will the price compare to 100LL and what’s the word on the stability of the fuel? By that, I mean will less-frequent flyers have to worry about their fuel becoming stale?
This is long overdue from the aviation fuel industry but very welcome. I guess it takes an independent supplier to show the majors the way forward with aviation fuel.
Good Luck!