What Happened
US Aviation Prepares for Unleaded Fuel Transition Amid Uncertainty
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finalized its plan to eliminate leaded aviation gasoline in the US by 2030, despite unresolved questions over fuel selection, cost, and aircraft modifications. The plan outlines a four-phase transition from 100LL to unleaded avgas, with testing of three high-octane unleaded fuels set to begin in Phase 1. The FAA expects to publish an updated plan in late 2027 after completing the first phase. The transition process is expected to be complex, with potential impacts on aircraft owners, airports, and fuel suppliers. According to AeroTime, the FAA’s plan aims to safely remove leaded fuel from the piston-aircraft fleet by the end of 2030.