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EAGLE is flying
Partners rally around initiative to rid GA of lead by 2030
By Eric Blinderman
Leaders of major general aviation organizations, petroleum industry stakeholders, and the U.S. government jointly announced an ambitious commitment to transition to lead-free aviation fuels for all piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030. The initiative called EAGLE (Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions) was announced during the General Aviation Manufacturers Association State of the Industry press event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., in February.
EAGLE is a comprehensive public-private partnership, designed to expand and accelerate government and industry actions and investments and establish the policies and activities to permit both new and existing GA aircraft to operate lead-free without compromising safety or economic health: “The EAGLE initiative is an ambitious and comprehensive one, and activity under the pillars must and will start immediately. We are fully committed to its success. We ask other government, general aviation associations, airports, fuel suppliers and distributors, and others to join us in making EAGLE soar.”
The GA industry has long focused on eliminating lead in all aviation fuels; however, it has also been mindful that the transition needs to be done in a smart and safe way that works for the entire GA fleet (comprising some 200,000 aircraft). The EAGLE initiative calls for ensuring that aviation fuels available today remain in place until an unleaded solution is developed and deployed to our nation’s airports.
“While the industry has a shared vision of a lead-free aviation future, the transition must be done in a smart and safe way, and in a manner that works for the entire general aviation fleet,” said Mark Baker, president and CEO of AOPA. “Joining together in a broad coalition like EAGLE reinforces our commitment. This is a very positive step forward, and we look forward to making progress under the EAGLE banner.”
AOPA has also developed the Unleaded Avgas Coalition, which serves to keep important conversations moving forward and ensure that all constituents to the issue are informed and engaged. As a complement to the Unleaded Avgas Coalition’s work, a website has been created, which features updated news and developments, a wide-ranging FAQ, and a means for users to sign up for updates.
Regulatory Affairs
By any means necessary
By Murray Huling, AOPA vice president of regulatory affairs
you have heard about the dedicated push for a drop-in unleaded fuel replacement for 100LL (at left). The drive to alleviate the environmental concerns of lead has never been stronger and more urgent.
Defending lead has never been an option. What we will defend, however, is a smart and safe transition to a high-octane unleaded fuel capable of fleetwide use. What we will defend are the drop-in fuels that win the race, no matter how they get there.
AOPA’s government affairs team is a member of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) Steering Group. The steering group represents a broad spectrum of perspectives, with members from AOPA and other aviation groups, the American Petroleum Institute and the FAA. However, this commitment is multi-faceted, and EAGLE is just one means that is being used. This is about urgency, and about building on the progress we have made. EAGLE is about getting to lead-free by 2030, but we’re looking to get there sooner. The initiative was announced by FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and it’s a significant step forward in bringing together aviation fuel stakeholders from across the industry toward our goal.
Again, EAGLE is a means. The goal is the drop-in 100UL fuel, and AOPA continues to support all avenues to get us to this finish line as soon as we safely can. Progress has been made, from GAMI’s G100UL supplemental type certificate approval by make/model, to Swift’s UL94 at several airports and its 100UL candidate, to testing of other high-octane unleaded fuel formulations. It is essential to remember that our ultimate goal is to obtain a replacement fuel with no safety or other negative impact on our aircraft or operations—via whatever pathway can get us there.
On the front lines
Early action lets the garden grow—away from the airport
By Tom George, Alaska regional manager
AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers all over the country have made a difference engaging with, promoting, and protecting their airport. And not every case grabs the headlines.
The city of Nenana operates an airport in interior Alaska with a paved runway, ski strip, and a float pond. When Adam White, ASN volunteer and advisory board member, heard that residents wanted to put a community garden on airport property, he contacted AOPA for information on compatible land use. He knew that while the garden project was a good idea, it would also attract wildlife—in this case, moose—to the airport.
Armed with information about FAA grant assurances and the need to protect land use, he reached out to the garden stakeholders and helped them find another location for the project, well away from the airport. Today the garden functions, and the airport has continued to develop, now sporting self-service fuel and even a courtesy car.
Being proactive when an issue first surfaces can head off problems that will become much harder to deal with later. Contact your AOPA regional manager or the Pilot Information Center at 800-USA-AOPA to report an airport issue.
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