NBAA applauds FAA approval of an Unleaded Fuel for GA piston fleet

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen welcomed FAA’s signature to a supplemental type certificate that allows an unleaded fuel, G100UL, for use in piston-engine aircraft: “We applaud the approval of G100UL for all piston-engine aircraft,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen of the STC, issued on September 1. “It establishes a framework for other fuel producers to follow as the industry aims for a more sustainable future. NBAA members use a wide range of aircraft, including piston-engine aircraft, to meet their business needs, and this decision by the FAA offers them a safe, lead-free fuel option.”

NBAA is a member of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions initiative, a government-industry partnership to safely eliminate the use of leaded aviation fuel by the end of 2030, without adversely affecting the existing piston-engine fleet. Initially allowed for use in Cessna 172s in 2021, G100UL was later cleared to cover a list of additional aircraft models. The approval of the fuel for the entire piston fleet marks a significant milestone in the EAGLE program’s mission to accelerate the development of leaded-fuel alternatives for all piston aircraft.

Twelve years of research and testing on G100UL were invested into the fuel’s development before its recent, wide-scope approval. Formal approval to use the fuel will be implemented through the FAA’s STC, demonstrating the agency has determined that engines and aircraft operating on G100UL will continue to be compliant with the airworthiness safety standard requirements for Part 33 engines and Part 23 airplanes.

It is not clear when G100UL will be widely available, as the production infrastructure for the fuel must be brought to scale, and a supply chain must be established. While this initial approval is for General Aviation Modifications Inc.’s G100UL, other companies are testing and evaluating their own replacements for 100LL, and will also work through the FAA’s STC process.