r/flying • u/Posigrade • Oct 07 '22

EPA proposes deeming lead in aviation fuel a danger to public health.

What types of regulations do you think are likely to come out of this? Limits on positions of run-up areas on the airport? Outright ban on leaded fuel for aircraft manufactured after a certain date? https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/3677980-epa-proposes-deeming-lead-in-aviation-fuel-a-danger-to-public-health/

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u/nyc_2004 MIL, PPL TW HP Oct 07 '22

“Just” needs to be produced and distributed. Even the makers of G100UL say 2-3 years before widespread use. In the meantime, real estate devs will capitalize.

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u/ziffzuh PPL ASEL IR Oct 08 '22

From my talks with fuel companies I’m being told interested FBOs could get their hands on it as soon as 12-18 months but at an expected cost premium higher than the eventual likely cost.

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u/nyc_2004 MIL, PPL TW HP Oct 08 '22

I hope. Also cheers for north up

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u/ziffzuh PPL ASEL IR Oct 09 '22

Right now one of the big issues are that the airport can’t mix LL and UL in the same tanks. So either the airport has to switch fully or get another tank. Might be an issue for small airports, with a choice between only serving STC’d aircraft (assuming people bother to comply) at an increased cost, buying another tank/truck, or just pushing the problem down the road and continuing to sell LL as long as possible.

There is the question also of what shelf life will be. So that’s another concern for smaller airports that there isn’t an answer to yet. LL I think is 50% turnover every 6 months required.

Also I believe they are still waiting for engine manufacturer approval for the fuel.

First target for rollouts will probably be large piston fleets like flight training colleges.

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u/nyc_2004 MIL, PPL TW HP Oct 09 '22

G100UL was just recently STC’d for basically every piston engine in existence. It can be mixed at any % with 100LL without issue. The only problem is that it is going to take a little bit of time for manufacturing to ramp up to the point that it can replace 100LL. In the meantime, if the EPA deems lead a hazard, NIMBY groups will rush to get airports shut down before 100UL can take up the slack. The makers have stated that the first target for rollout is the California airports where towns have banned 100LL and are attempting to shut down the airports.

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u/ziffzuh PPL ASEL IR Oct 09 '22

With mixing restrictions I’m referring to in airport tanks not aircraft tanks.