Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Aviation Fuel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission hears update on unleaded aviation fuel, manufacturers’ cautions and pending court questions about availability
Summary
Commissioners received an update on the status of unleaded avgas (G100UL): several major manufacturers have advised caution, a California court case is examining whether the fuel is ‘commercially available’ or ‘commercially feasible,’ and airport staff recommended keeping the FAQ and web resources current.
At its March 6 meeting the Middleton Airport Commission discussed the evolving regulatory and market status of unleaded aviation fuel (G100UL), including manufacturer advisories and a pending court matter that could affect local adoption.
The chair summarized recent industry communications, saying that Textron (which includes Cessna), Piper, Lycoming and others have issued advisories asking operators to hold off on routine use of G100UL without an STC or further guidance. Commissioners noted that manufacturers’ advisories and distributor handling concerns complicate on‑field adoption.
Commissioners also discussed a California court case (Center for Environmental Health v. several FBOs) that was expected to rule on whether G100UL qualifies as "commercially available" versus merely "commercially feasible." The chair quoted the judge as saying the question of commercial feasibility needs more consideration and had deferred a judgment; commissioners said the distinction matters because some legal obligations hinge on the availability standard.
Given ongoing technical, certification and supply questions, commissioners agreed the airport should rely on authoritative external sources (FAA, fuel manufacturers and the FlyEagle initiative) for updates and keep the airport FAQ current rather than amending the FAQ at every meeting. Commissioners suggested linking to authoritative sources for readers seeking more detail.
What’s next: Staff will monitor the legal and certification developments and update the airport FAQ and web resources as appropriate.
