EAGLE Explains PAFI Process

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Key Takeaways:

  • The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) group's latest bulletin explains the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) and its role in the FAA potentially issuing "fleet authorization" for a new fuel by Lyondell/Basell.
  • If Lyondell/Basell's fuel passes FAA tests, the agency will provide a list of compatible aircraft and engines, along with any necessary modifications for its use.
  • This "fleet authorization" process is distinct from the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) method used by other fuel developers; GAMI's G100UL has universal STC approval, while Swift's 100R is STC'd only for specific Cessna 172 models.
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The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions group has issued its second in a series of three information bulletins, this one explaining the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) and the role it plays in the FAA’s potential issuance of a “fleet authorization” for a fuel being developed by Lyondell/Basell. If the fuel passes the battery of compatibility and performance tests conducted at FAA labs the agency will issue a list of compatible aircraft and engines and what, if any, modifications are required for its use.

The previous bulletin dealt with the Supplemental Type Certificate process chosen by GAMI and Swift for their fuels. GAMI’s G100UL already has STCs approved for all certified airplanes and all certified aircraft engines. Swift’s 100R fuel is STC’d for Cessna 172R and 172S models only. The full text of EAGLE’s information bulletin is below.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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