Future of Fuel - Unleaded Fuel Initiative
Faculty Mentor Name
Parker Northrup
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
General aviation has been fueled by 100 low lead (100LL) since the 1970s. Cars have moved away completely from leaded fuel by 1996. In 2022, the FAA has taken the same motivation from the car industry and formed the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative. EAGLE’s goal is to eliminate leaded fuel for piston aircraft by 2030. With general aviation clearly moving towards unleaded fuel, this project looks towards implementing the results for Embry Riddle Prescott Flight Department and Prescott Regional Airport. With several flight schools in the country using unleaded fuel, this project will be a comparative analysis to which factors contributed to the success or unsuccessful elements of this transition and operations. The key to implementing new technology into any industry is to learn from any shortcomings and ensure that safety measures or regulations are put in place. This comparative analysis will include research into the maintenance inspections, operational assessment, certifications, distribution and other factors that are involved with using unleaded fuel. While there have been some setbacks recently for unleaded fuels, several flight schools have shown in the past years that unleaded fuels are a suitable option for airports and flight schools. These results will be used to provide insight and justification for Embry Riddle and Prescott Airport to utilize unleaded fuel.
Future of Fuel - Unleaded Fuel Initiative
General aviation has been fueled by 100 low lead (100LL) since the 1970s. Cars have moved away completely from leaded fuel by 1996. In 2022, the FAA has taken the same motivation from the car industry and formed the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative. EAGLE’s goal is to eliminate leaded fuel for piston aircraft by 2030. With general aviation clearly moving towards unleaded fuel, this project looks towards implementing the results for Embry Riddle Prescott Flight Department and Prescott Regional Airport. With several flight schools in the country using unleaded fuel, this project will be a comparative analysis to which factors contributed to the success or unsuccessful elements of this transition and operations. The key to implementing new technology into any industry is to learn from any shortcomings and ensure that safety measures or regulations are put in place. This comparative analysis will include research into the maintenance inspections, operational assessment, certifications, distribution and other factors that are involved with using unleaded fuel. While there have been some setbacks recently for unleaded fuels, several flight schools have shown in the past years that unleaded fuels are a suitable option for airports and flight schools. These results will be used to provide insight and justification for Embry Riddle and Prescott Airport to utilize unleaded fuel.