Avgas problems reach a critical juncture
September 9, 2011, 04:49 pm
Recent fears over the shortage of 100LL fuel prompted President of the National Air Transportation Association Jim Coyne to reiterate that now was not the time to panic, and while a replacement fuel for 100LL avgas is complex and still in development, the current availability of the fuel is acceptable.
The leaded fuel is in the process of a transition to an unleaded mixture, and environmental groups have put pressure on the speed of the transition, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
The groups state that several California businesses failed to make the lead content of avgas public, a violation of state and federal laws. They are calling for the immediate discontinuation of avgas production, which the NATA agrees is necessary eventually, but notes that alternative fuels have been difficult to develop.
The lead in avgas stabilizes combustion in many single engine aircraft, while jet and diesel fuel powers most modern commercial airplanes.
The avgas issue is a concern for many independent pilots who use the fuel in their personal planes. Getting the right pilot insurance is another common issue for aviators, as they have specific needs relating to their craft. Standard insurance policies may not provide coverage for some of the issues many pilots commonly face, and acquiring a pilot insurance plan through a pilot's organization can sometimes give fliers comprehensive coverage at a reasonable rate.
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