FAA Administrator Approves Unleaded Aviation Gasoline Research Committee

Randy Babbitt, the FAA Administrator, signed the Unleaded Aviation Gasoline Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) charter (PDF) on Jan. 31 in Washington, D.C.

The signing was a significant step towards bringing the General Aviation (GA) community together to plan for the transition to unleaded aviation gasoline.

"It's our goal to bring together all the industry stakeholders to be able to achieve the goal of a suitable fuel in a timely fashion," said Babbitt.

The ARC is tasked to investigate the current issues relating to the transition to an unleaded fuel, and recommend the tasks necessary to investigate and resolve these issues.

The committee will produce an industry-government framework and implementation plan intended to guide the GA community towards deployment of unleaded aviation gasoline as an alternative to 100 Low-Lead.

The committee will be comprised of members who encompass all constituencies surrounding the unleaded fuel issue to include aviation trade associations, aircraft and engine manufacturers, petroleum and other fuel producers, environmental groups, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Once membership is finalized, the first meeting is expected in late March or early April and to complete the investigation by mid-year.