Searching for 100LL's Successor

Two weeks ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) selected the X PRIZE Foundation to create monetary incentives for developing renewable aviation fuels and technologies. The financial push is expected to speed the development of alternative products, but the process outlined by the X PRIZE Foundation and FAA is expected to take roughly eight years.

100LL fuel continues to be more expensive than other petroleum and energy products, reports the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA). Currently, there is no single replacement for 100LL that is economical, requires only minor or no aircraft modification or recertification and does not affect aircraft performance.

The X PRIZE process falls under the FAA’s Next Generation air traffic modernization program. In the past, four separate X PRIZEs have been launched in the areas of genomics, lunar exploration and automotive transportation.