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Airport commission urges pause on GAMI G100UL sales after reported aircraft damage
Summary
The Airports Commission recommended a temporary halt to sales of the GAMI G100UL unleaded aviation fuel at county airports after commissioners cited reported engine and airframe damage and an insurance claim; county counsel said the FAA has approved the fuel and the county has notified FAA of the claims.
The Santa Clara County Airports Commission urged the county to temporarily halt sales of the GAMI G100UL unleaded aviation fuel pending further investigation into reported aircraft damage and industry-testing gaps.
Dan Connolly, chair of the Airports Commission, presented the commission's advisory and described an industry disagreement over certification and testing. "Our recommendation is to, temporarily halt the sale of that fuel until we can get a better handle on the damage it's really causing the airplanes," Connolly said, citing an insurance claim referenced in commission materials.
Assistant County Counsel Elizabeth Bianca told the committee that "the FAA has approved the use of G100 unleaded fuel." Bianca said the county has notified the FAA about claims received from Reed Hillview Airport and is continuing to monitor FAA action but that there have been no changes to the FAA's prior approval.
Commissioners described differences among manufacturers: two producers (Swift and another) are pursuing ASTM peer-review testing while GAMI has not submitted its G100UL product to the ASTM process, the commission said. Commissioners also said some major engine manufacturers have not approved the fuel for their engines and have warned that use could affect engine warranties.
The Airports Commission's recommendation was not unanimous; at least one commissioner expressed concern that recommendations could be misread as an attempt to preserve leaded fuel, saying the issue is the specific GAMI product and its testing pathway rather than unleaded fuel generally.
The committee did not adopt a county policy change at the meeting; instead members received the advisory and staff said they will continue to monitor FAA actions and industry testing. The airports director was introduced and said operational issues at county airfields will be prioritized.
Next steps: county staff will continue to track FAA guidance, share information from engine manufacturers and insurers, and report back if federal approvals or industry test results change.
