The growing availability of unleaded aviation fuel represents a crucial step toward eliminating lead emissions from aircraft.
However, it also introduces new misfuelling risks that occur when the wrong type, grade, or mix of fuel is delivered to an aircraft. With multiple fuel options now available, pilots, aircraft owners and line service personnel must be more vigilant than ever to ensure fueling safety.
Misfuelling can lead to catastrophic engine failure, which is why clear communication between pilots and line service personnel is essential.
Pilots should confirm the limitations of the engine and airframe. And, when placing full-service fuel orders, confirm every detail of the order—including type, grade, and volume—with line service personnel, or be aware of these factors when conducting self-service fueling.
Aircraft must also have proper logbook documentation, and placards that support conformance with the applicable STC and accurate fueling.
It is important to note that while the new unleaded fuels are designed to mix with 100LL, it remains uncertain whether they can be safely mixed with each other.
Until more information is available, unleaded fuels must not be combined. Again, each engine and/or aircraft may have specific limitations that aircraft owners need to be aware of when fueling their aircraft.
Resources such as the Energy Institute’s Misfuelling Resources, AOPA’s Safety Brief, the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) Misfueling Prevention Program, and the EAGLE’s Guidance on Transitioning a Flight School to Unleaded Avgas offer valuable guidance during this transition.
As unleaded fuels become more widely available, diligence and adherence to proper protocols will be essential to maintaining safety and protecting your aircraft.
Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) is a comprehensive government-industry initiative consisting of the aviation and petroleum industries and U.S. government stakeholders, and a wide range of other constituents and interested parties, all working toward the transition to lead-free aviation fuels for piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030 without compromising the safety or economic health of the general aviation industry.
This press release was prepared and distributed by EAGLE.
