Michigan City board weighs new fuel‑farm payment system and plans for unleaded aviation fuel
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Summary
Board members discussed selection of a new fuel‑farm payment system (QT 3,000 vs. FuelMaster), noted neither system supports Apple Pay, and discussed availability of unleaded avgas blends and a broad 2030 transition target; board approved switching to UL94 when it becomes available.
Board members and staff on Feb. 19 discussed a planned fuel farm project and related payment‑system selection, and reviewed the evolving availability of unleaded aviation fuels.
During public questions and staff reports, the manager said the airport's basis of design for the new fuel island is the QT 3,000 product and that it is not FuelMaster. A participant summarized differences: "QT 3,000, which is the most recent QT product. It's not FuelMaster," and noted the QT interface is more graphical and button-driven while FuelMaster uses smaller text and menus. Attendees raised that neither product supports Apple Pay; both systems use chip readers.
Board members also discussed alternative unleaded avgas blends. One speaker noted that G100UL (an unleaded avgas blend) is available in California and that several competing unleaded fuels are under development. The board referenced a target/mandate to move to unleaded aviation fuels by 2030 and agreed the airport will switch to UL94 when it becomes available at the field.
Staff said fuel-farm equipment is out to bid and that the airport is talking to fuel vendors to include up-to-date technology and filtration in the project. No contractual awards were announced at the meeting; staff said projects have been approved and are awaiting procurement steps.
The board recorded a voice vote in favor of proceeding with the planned fuel transition when UL94 supply is available and concluded discussion.
