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FAA Approves 100R Avgas In Cessna 172s

Cessna Skyhawk

A Cessna 172 Skyhawk. 

Credit: Textron Aviation

The FAA said Sept. 17 that it has granted approval for the use of a second 100-octane unleaded fuel in piston aircraft, specifically Cessna 172R/S Skyhawks.

In a brief statement, the agency said it has approved the use of Swift 100R unleaded avgas by supplemental type certificate (STC) in Skyhawks powered by Lycoming IO-360-L2A engines, marking “an important step” in the FAA and industry effort to supply unleaded fuel for the entirety of the U.S. piston aircraft fleet.

Developer Swift Fuels, of West Lafayette, Indiana, has said that it plans to seek an initial STC for the use of 100R from the FAA, then expand the approved model list of piston aircraft and engines that can burn the 100-Motor-Octane fuel instead of 100LL leaded avgas. Swift is also pursuing a new product specification for 100R through standards organization ASTM.

The FAA in September 2022 approved General Aviation Modification Inc.’s (GAMI) G100UL unleaded avgas for use in every spark-ignition piston engine and airframe powered by those engines. G100UL also was approved incrementally across the fleet, beginning with STC approvals for certain Cessna 172 engines and airframes in 2021.

GAMI, however, has not sought a product specification through ASTM, which is considered key to industry acceptance of its fuel.

A third unleaded avgas candidate—UL100E—is undergoing full-scale engine and airframe testing under the FAA’s Piston Engine Aviation Fuels Initiative, which could lead to the agency granting fleetwide authorization for its use in 2025.

LyondellBasel, a multinational chemical company, partnered with San Antonio-based VP Racing Fuels in 2018 to develop the avgas in response to an FAA call for new unleaded fuel offerors.

Bill Carey

Bill covers business aviation and advanced air mobility for Aviation Week Network. A former newspaper reporter, he has also covered the airline industry, military aviation, commercial space and uncrewed aircraft systems. He is the author of 'Enter The Drones, The FAA and UAVs in America,' published in 2016.

Comments

1 Comment
Too bad general aviation has been priced out of existence for the average working person. Now only the very rich can afford it and they usually hire someone to fly the hardware. Little room for hobbyists anymore. What a pity. Lawsuits should have been outlawed against manufacturers on 30 year old airplanes that stupidhead pilots didn't give proper maintenance to their old birds or flew into conditions they weren't trained to handle. Back in the 70's it was don't fall for "get home-itis". Lawsuits was part of the reason, general aviation died for the masses and only the realm for the very rich now. So sad as I lived through an age where an average school teacher could own a Cessna or at least have part ownership.