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1. 05:48 PM - Unleaded aviation fuel - what are our General Aviation champions doing to make 91/96UL AVGAS available? (was Avgas UL 91 approved by Lycoming for the IO-540-D models) (Carl Froehlich)
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Subject: | Unleaded aviation fuel - what are our General Aviation champions |
doing to make 91/96UL AVGAS available? (was Avgas UL 91 approved by Lycoming
for the IO-540-D models)
Not really RV related, so delete now if you like.
While Lycoming is taking a much needed step toward a fuel that we can
actually afford, I'm afraid our aviation champions simply reject any option
other than a still non-existent 100LL drop in replacement. Below is an
email I wrote to both the EAA and AOPA last January. EAA did not respond.
AOPA sent a disjointed response about auto fuel availability in Virginia.
Perhaps if we all pinged on AOPA and EAA they may hear us over the turbine
noise.
Carl
I note with interest articles such as in General Aviation on aviation fuel
predictions:
http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2013/01/predictions-aviation-fuel-in-2013
/?utm_source=The+Pulse+Subscribers
<http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2013/01/predictions-aviation-fuel-in-201
3/?utm_source=The+Pulse+Subscribers&utm_campaign=6f588e756e-TP2013&utm_mediu
m=email> &utm_campaign=6f588e756e-TP2013&utm_medium=email
After a couple of decades of study and discussion, my evaluation is we are
on a trajectory toward avgas prices that simply end the private pilot aspect
of general aviation. We no longer have the luxury of time to cling to the
only acceptable option for 100LL as a full replacement drop in. I have
reviewed the "70%/30%" argument; 70% of all piston GA aircraft can run on
non-ethanol unleaded premium auto fuel based avgas such as 91/96UL, but the
remaining 30% of the piston GA aircraft that need 100LL consume 70% of the
fuel. This logic has run its course and now needs to be revised in the
light of current realities. I also question if we can rely on this
argument's base assumptions as they are untested by market demand as no
affordable unleaded aviation fuel is readily available, and is a backward
look at the legacy engine/aircraft population, not new engines/aircraft that
would be tailored for a 91/96UL environment.
For the private pilot segment of general aviation, a non-ethanol premium
auto fuel type product like 91/96UL is exactly the right solution and the
market base for the fuel makes it continued availability, at reasonable
prices, assured. While it is not a perfect, the clock is running out on
producing a 100LL replacement fuel. If such a full replacement is ever
delivered, the price for this novelty fuel is already estimated to be $.50
to $1 per gallon more than today's 100LL. The added cost will accelerate
the private pilot death spiral.
Although there are a few FBOs offering non-ethanol premium auto fuel the
market penetration is dismal. I also note little evidence of organized
efforts to promote widespread FBO, engine and aircraft manufacture embracing
of existing unleaded aviation fuel options. I recommend a new strategy. I
believe we have opportunity to bridge this fuel gap by a managed portfolio
of options. Some FBOs may choose to carry both 100LL and the lower octane
unleaded fuel, others may carry only one or the other based on their
customer demand. What is needed is advocacy to establish the required
policies and regulations, and collaboration with fuel suppliers, FBOs,
aircraft and engine manufactures, state and federal agencies. This will
mitigate the primary obstacle for 91/96UL adoption, legal risk.
While continued study of aviation fuel options is needed I believe we are at
a tipping point. $6+ per gallon is not sustainable for the majority of
private pilots paying for fuel out of their pocket. At the very least an
affordable unleaded aviation fuel option would help slow the continued
decline in the number of active private pilots.
Immediate action is needed to make an affordable 91/96UL type aviation fuel
widely available .
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-rv10-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-rv10-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Mike Whisky
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 2:48 PM
Subject: RV10-List: Abgas UL 91 approved by Lycoming for the IO-540-D models
--> RV10-List message posted by: "Mike Whisky" <
<mailto:rv-10@wellenzohn.net> rv-10@wellenzohn.net>
See press release from today
<http://www.lycoming.com/news-and-events/press-releases/release-4-23-2013.ht
ml>
http://www.lycoming.com/news-and-events/press-releases/release-4-23-2013.htm
l
Not sure what the price difference of UL91 is compared to 100LL.
Mike
--------
RV-10 builder (final assembly)
#511
Read this topic online here:
<http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=399293#399293>
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=399293#399293
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