GA Industry and EPA Prepare to Get the Lead out of Avgas

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formally begun the regulatory process required by the Clean Air Act that may ultimately result in standards mandating the general aviation industry’s transition to unleaded aviation gasoline (avgas).

The EPA has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR), which is a key opportunity for the GA community to comment on this possible new environmental standard and the development of a plan for identifying, evaluating and transitioning to an unleaded fuel.

This is particularly important given the technical complexity and safety implications of removing lead from aviation gasoline because there is not a high-octane replacement unleaded avgas available today that meets the requirements of the entire GA fleet.

In the ANPR, the EPA recognized the complexity by stating, “Converting in-use aircraft/engines to operate on unleaded aviation gasoline would be a significant logistical challenge, and in some cases a technical challenge as well.”

The agency also acknowledged that a joint effort will be critical in the likely case that engine modifications will need to be developed and certified. “Given the potentially large number of affected aircraft and the potential complexities involved, a program affecting in-use aircraft engines would need careful consideration by both EPA and FAA and the two agencies would need to work together in considering any potential program affecting the in-use fleet,” EPA wrote.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have devoted more than 20 years of research and development to identifying a viable alternative to the 100 “low lead” avgas formulation used today by most piston-powered aircraft.

The industry stakeholders look forward to continuing their work with the EPA and the FAA on establishing a realistic standard to reduce lead emissions from GA aircraft along a transition timeline that balances environmental benefit with aviation safety, technical feasibility and economic impact upon the GA industry.

Read the EPA news release.

Comments

[Jerry Brown]

Any replacement fuel for avgas must offer end users (aircraft owners & operators) a price point at or below current 100LL fuel costs. We know that operating costs directly affects the bottom line for either business and/or private use.

On the downside, if new replacement fuel costs exceed the current per gallon prices, we can expect to see:
* A reduction for new and used piston aircraft demand/sales.
* A reduction of owner & operator usage due to higher operating costs.
* Higher operating costs equates to less flying, which will greatly impact FBO's, repair stations, avionics sales/repairs and etc..

On the upside:
* The LSA market will see greater sales.
* We may see new innovated certificated aircraft engines that are designed to operate with different fuels.

[Justin at AC-U-KWIK]

It would be a tremendous accomplishment if the price of a replacement were below 100LL prices. Thanks for your insight, Jerry. Make sure you share your comments with EPA and all the aviation trade groups. Let's hope all the agencies involved get it right.

[Paul Wyatt]

Experts have determined that only 70% of the existing piston fleet could run on the new lead-free avgas. If you thought used Toyotas lost re-sale value lately, wait until these aircraft owners see the value of their airplanes evaporate overnight.