Brian Boeshart is completing his Masters of Aeronautical Sciences (MAS) degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Brian’s “Graduate capstone research project,” seeks to “determine why MoGas is not being offered at a majority of airfields across the United States.” If you are, “an FBO manager, or a pilot who is over the age of 18 and lives in the United States or US Territory,” you are eligible to complete this survey. Care to weigh in?
To Mr. Boashart; a well meaning but obviously very idealistic and naïve young man about corporate greed, market share and “dirty” (next time LARGE bills, please?)……………………..?
The answer is to GET RID OF THE 100LL and replace it with a suitable no ethanol/no lead mogas which incidently is and has been used in automobiles for many years. I am absolutely not convinced that all of this “testing” is necessary. I don’t believe this is rocket science as they say. Wake up! There are folks that are benefiting financially by feet that have been dragging on this issue. And NO it is not necessary that the replacement fuel be more expensive than ordinary car gas. Why would it be except to line the pockets of special interest groups. Think about it.
This is kind of a no-brainer. Mogas sold is 100LL that is not sold by an FBO. Overall, very little increase in sales, but a significant increase in overhead for tankage, pumps, inspections and insurance. Add to that the veiled or sometimes not-so-veiled threats by suppliers to cut off 100LL supplies if an FBO also sells MOGAS. Not much incentive for an FBO to take on the additional overhead of carrying a second fuel, but making no more income?
Don’t kid yourselves about the price. In order to break even, the FBO will be charging significantly more for MOGAS than you pay at the local gas station. Many of us would continue to haul our own fuel even if it was available at the FBO due to the price. Many FBOs are scratching just to stay in business. MOGAS isn’t a financial winner for them. Until it is, they won’t be carrying it.
I have wondered myself why there isn’t more Mogas available at FBOs around the country given the increasing cost of 100LL with the likelihood of the cost increasing with 100UL and the increasing number of engines that operate very well if not preferentially on Mogas. I’ve been contemplating building an RV-12 but I’m procrastinating partly because of the lack of Mogas for cross country ops which is the primary way I would operate the airplane. Bringing it to the airplane myself would certainly work for local ops but obviously not once I’ve departed on a cross country where the availability of Mogas at FBOs around the continental U.S. is currently scarce.
I have been running my 80 octane Bonanza on MoGas for over 25 years. The savings more than pay for my annuals, I have a smooth running engine with out the problems caused by leaded fuel. I do not have a nearby FBO that sells unleaded fuel so I have to bring it on the field my self.
If anyone thinks MoGas is bad for their engine, I went 1000 hours past TBO and had good compression on 1200 hour cylinders when the engine was removed.
Because of the lack of MoGas availability, I always have some lead in the fuel I burn, but very little.
I have been flying my cessna 120 with a c85 on mogas for 5 years doing 120 hoursa year with better running motor