The U.S. government’s sputtering search for an unleaded fuel for piston-powered general aviation aircraft should focus on Sweden, where the stuff has been made since 1991, says Lars Hjelmberg, founder of Sweden’s Hjelmco Oil. In a report at VenicePatch.com, he contends that more than 90% of the world’s piston aircraft can safely use his unleaded […]
avgas
Committee reports on challenges to replacing 100LL
A just-released report from the Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee concludes that a drop-in replacement for leaded 100LL is not available, adding that an additional six years is needed to assess possible replacements. Known as the UAT ARC, the committee is a collaborative industry-government task force representing aircraft and engine manufacturers, fuel producers and […]
The effect of lower octane fuel on your airplane
Last week I was watching TV when I heard a loud clap of thunder and saw a flash. This was followed by the lights going out and the very sickening sound of electronics going bye-bye from the computer desk. The next morning the lights were back on, but the computer had sacrificed its life to […]
Response to Cessna Pilots article on avgas
The June 2012 issue of the Cessna Pilots Association Magazine featured an article from Jim Cavanagh titled “Get the Lead Out!” The third part in a series, it dealt with alternatives to 100LL. While it includes a good review of efforts to find an unleaded 100-octane replacement, we felt the need to weigh in on […]
Autogas: Better than ever
Among the myths that one occasionally hears regarding autogas (aka mogas) is that it is of poor quality compared to avgas. We asked Todd L. Petersen, owner of more than 100 auto gas STCs, to comment on the changes he’s seen in gasoline quality in the three decades since the FAA approved the first autogas […]
XN Air joins Avfuel network
XN Air at Spokane International Airport (GEG) in Washington state, acquired by Ross Aviation earlier this year, has become an Avfuel-branded FBO. The FBO features on-field U.S. Customs service and an executive terminal located mid-field (off taxiway G) with a variety of amenities, including a private lounge, private showers, coffee bar, conference room, free wi-fi […]
U2OSH: Unleaded to Oshkosh
The Aviation Fuel Club is organizing a special event called “Unleaded to Oshkosh” — U2OSH — for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the FAA’s approval of the first autogas STC, an effort led in part by EAA founder Paul Poberezny. All pilots flying […]
C150 owner saves $800 annually with autogas
Mark “Prigs” Priglmeier, an officer of EAA Chapter 551 in St. Cloud, Minn., contacted us recently on the use of autogas in his C-150F: “I started using autogas in my 1966 C-150 at about 500 or so hours prior to my engine rebuild at just over 2300 smoh. I have had no issues. The engine […]
UVair FBO network takes off
The UVair FBO Network, an alliance between EPIC Aviation and the UVair Fuel Program, has revealed its first five member FBOs: Edwards Jet Center in Billings, Mont. (BIL) ; Stevens Aviation in Greer, S.C. (GSP); Ambassador Aviation in Dallas (RBD); Bizjet International in Tulsa, Okla. (TUL); and Million Air Vancouver in Richmond, BC (CYVR). The […]