Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee Final Report

On February 17, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received the final report of the Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee (UAT ARC). The FAA welcomes the UAT ARC's completion of its assigned task to recommend a transition plan for the development and deployment of an unleaded avgas.

The final report provides a comprehensive overview of technical, economic, regulatory and environmental issues relating to avgas that are shaping the current General Aviation climate. It highlights the challenges associated with the development and commercialization of an unleaded replacement fuel that are due to the current market conditions and regulatory approval process. The report provides a detailed roadmap to take candidate fuels through the highly challenging evaluation, approval and deployment process. In addition to the roadmap, it specifically recommends government and industry resources to help candidate-fuel producers to progress efficiently through the process.

The final report is currently undergoing FAA review and staff is also aligning the implementation of the recommendations with the unleaded avgas research and development program requirement included in the Modernization and Reform Act signed by President Obama on February 14, 2012. The FAA is taking prompt action to review both documents to chart a path forward to meet the needs of the General Aviation community.

FAA management will review the report to determine both the near-term and long-term impact of the recommendations made by the committee. During this review process, key start-up activities and associated resource demands will need to be identified and prioritized. The final report will be made available to the public upon completion of this review.

The FAA greatly appreciates the significant and unprecedented effort of the FAA, EPA and industry members of the UAT ARC. The industry-wide cooperation and engagement achieved in this committee was a necessary enabler to produce an innovative set of recommendations. The FAA recognizes the challenge facing the General Aviation community and we will strive to support our industry partners in this important endeavor.