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Advocating for alternative fuels

AOPA, aviation associations support testing programs

AOPA joined other aviation associations in asking congressional leaders to increase funding for the Alternative Fuels for General Aviation program.

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“We believe the fuels testing program is at a critical juncture and we request the final conference agreement contain a funding level of $10 million,” the group wrote in a letter to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. “The funding level is consistent with the spirit of the recent White House announcement on sustainable aviation fuels, where the work on alternative fuels for general aviation was highlighted. There is still considerable work to be done to address the environmental and regulatory challenges associated with piston aviation fuels and your support is key to addressing them in a way that does not compromise aviation safety.”

The Alternative Fuels for General Aviation program enables the engineering, technical, and management support of fuel research and safety certification activities necessary to identify and secure a fleet-wide authorization approval and deployment of an unleaded aviation gas consistent with aviation safety.

Joining AOPA in signing the letter to Congress included Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Helicopter Association International; National Air Transportation Association (NATA), and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

aopa.org/advocacy

Did you know? Tetraethyl lead is added to 100LL (“low lead”) avgas to prevent detonation in high-compression piston engines. Lower-horsepower engines may run on lower-octane fuels, but engines of approximately 200 horsepower and above need the octane boost the additive provides.


David Tulis
David Tulis
Senior Photographer
Senior Photographer David Tulis joined AOPA in 2015 and is a private pilot with single-engine land and sea ratings and a tailwheel endorsement. He is also a certificated remote pilot and co-host of the award-wining AOPA Hangar Talk podcast. David enjoys vintage aircraft and photography.

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