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Commission hears updates on unleaded aviation fuel, California court ruling and electric aircraft progress
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Summary
Commissioners discussed a California court ruling about Avgas litigation, limited progress from manufacturers on unleaded 100-replacement fuel, and recent developments in electric aircraft and charging needs for flight training.
At its meeting, the Middleton Airport Commission received a standing update on efforts to transition aviation to unleaded fuels, a California court decision affecting Avgas litigation, and industry developments in electric aircraft.
A commission member summarized a May 30 decision by the Superior Court of Alameda County that denied a motion by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) asking the court to force sales of an unleaded aviation fuel and to tighten the consent judgment’s allowable lead levels. The member said the court found no currently available fuel that met the parameters in the 2014 consent judgment and emphasized safety and stakeholder collaboration. "In denying the motion, the court affirmed that any transition to a new fuel should address critical safety issues and the importance of stakeholder collaboration while seeking industry consensus," the member said.
Commissioners said they have seen little new information locally since the previous year. They referenced Vital, a U.S. company that produced a batch of a 100-unleaded fuel, but said follow-up and commercial availability have stalled. "If they would follow up with us and there was an opportunity where they would literally come to us and say, 'we'll give you a tank full so you can sell,' why not?" one member said, while also reporting that much of the industry's early momentum has slowed.
Members also noted progress in electric aircraft. One commissioner cited a June 3 report that Beta Technologies landed an all-electric passenger aircraft in New York and discussed smaller manufacturers (references to Pipistrel and Velis). Commissioners discussed operational implications for flight training and short-cycle operations — class 3 chargers, 30–60 minute flight/reserve cycles and the potential need for high-voltage infrastructure for vertiport plans. The commission agreed to monitor technological and industry developments and to continue sharing information rather than taking immediate policy action.
