Speaking of AVGAS
Thread Starter
Speaking of AVGAS
It's been simmering along in the background for some time, but it now appears CASA have decided that whatever works in the USA will be okay for us too:
"As the FAA has approved the use of G100UL, and the US is a recognised country, it is deemed acceptable for use in Australia." Righto. Nobody I know is planning to import the stuff from the Far Side of the World anytime soon and I'm not aware of any planned changes to the manufacture of good 'ole 100LL in this country either.
What do you reckon? With CASA sitting this one out on the fence, are we on the edge of something new? Are we going to see airports banning 100LL just like in the USA?!?
New rule signals unleaded future
A recent approval of high-octane unleaded avgas for general aviation aircraft has moved the industry a step closer to an unleaded future.
Once the fuel is available, you’re good to go if it has been approved for use by the applicable aircraft and/or aircraft engine manufacturer or a recognised national aviation authority such as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Attention on unleaded fuel has increased since the FAA in late 2022 approved supplemental type certificates allowing the use of General Aviation Modification Inc’s (GAMI) G100UL in general aviation piston aircraft.
CASA requires pilots commanding aircraft to ensure that they’re using an appropriate fuel that complies with an approved specification and grade.
They can find this out by looking at which fuels are specified for what purposes by an aircraft or aircraft engine manufacturer.
The use of a particular fuel may also have limitations or require specific maintenance actions to be accomplished prior to its use.
Approved data sources include an airplane flight manual, a pilot’s operating handbook, aircraft and engine manufacturers approved maintenance data or applicable type certificate data sheets.
Once an aircraft or engine type certificate holder nominates and approves a specific grade of fuel for use in their products, and that fuel is listed within their approved data packages, operators can use it without further approval from CASA.
Acceptable fuels also include those approved overseas by the aviation regulator of a recognised country or locally under Part 21 of Civil Aviation Safety Regulation through an avenue such as a supplemental type certificate.
As the FAA has approved the use of G100UL, and the US is a recognised country, it is deemed acceptable for use in Australia.
CASA supports the introduction of unleaded fuels because of the environmental, health and operating benefits.
But we recognise there has been some confusion about the issue and we’ve reviewed the information available through our website to bring it up to date.
You can download the latest update (it will go into downloads on your web browser) at Airworthiness Bulletin AWB 28-019 Issue 2.
A recent approval of high-octane unleaded avgas for general aviation aircraft has moved the industry a step closer to an unleaded future.
Once the fuel is available, you’re good to go if it has been approved for use by the applicable aircraft and/or aircraft engine manufacturer or a recognised national aviation authority such as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Attention on unleaded fuel has increased since the FAA in late 2022 approved supplemental type certificates allowing the use of General Aviation Modification Inc’s (GAMI) G100UL in general aviation piston aircraft.
CASA requires pilots commanding aircraft to ensure that they’re using an appropriate fuel that complies with an approved specification and grade.
They can find this out by looking at which fuels are specified for what purposes by an aircraft or aircraft engine manufacturer.
The use of a particular fuel may also have limitations or require specific maintenance actions to be accomplished prior to its use.
Approved data sources include an airplane flight manual, a pilot’s operating handbook, aircraft and engine manufacturers approved maintenance data or applicable type certificate data sheets.
Once an aircraft or engine type certificate holder nominates and approves a specific grade of fuel for use in their products, and that fuel is listed within their approved data packages, operators can use it without further approval from CASA.
Acceptable fuels also include those approved overseas by the aviation regulator of a recognised country or locally under Part 21 of Civil Aviation Safety Regulation through an avenue such as a supplemental type certificate.
As the FAA has approved the use of G100UL, and the US is a recognised country, it is deemed acceptable for use in Australia.
CASA supports the introduction of unleaded fuels because of the environmental, health and operating benefits.
But we recognise there has been some confusion about the issue and we’ve reviewed the information available through our website to bring it up to date.
You can download the latest update (it will go into downloads on your web browser) at Airworthiness Bulletin AWB 28-019 Issue 2.
What do you reckon? With CASA sitting this one out on the fence, are we on the edge of something new? Are we going to see airports banning 100LL just like in the USA?!?
Ban it, it'll be a good thing, GAMI's fuel will be 100% better for your engine than avgas, if the real data and research is used you'll get TBO's 50% higher than present. Don't be afraid of it glasshoppah, it's a good thing.
The real issue is not the fuel itself but the restrictive rope around the neck of any potential engine manufacturers. Reality is that there needs to be some way to get new GA engines developed and manufactured that run on Kero/Diesel/Car unleaded/Bio whatever and at a price that's reasonable to mass produce them and retrofit to older aircraft. It can't be done without some form of incentive such as subsidies as the development vs limited run of engines makes the cost per unit prohibitively large for the end user. Pretty sure you could get an aviation engine in the 150-200hp range that runs perfectly and much more efficiently on 98 ron ULP if somebody made it worthwhile for the maker.
Thread Starter
Maybe that's true, but see this is the thing: Certain well-established oil companies in this country see the supply and delivery of aviation fuel (both AVGAS and JET) as a significant money-earner for them and are very proud of the service and support they bring to the aviation community. They don't take nearly so much care and attention with low-margin MOGAS and some may not even want to be bothered supplying it airside.
