Originally published at: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-expands-swift-100r-engine-stc/
Amended STC broadens engine coverage for the unleaded avgas.
100LL has been used since 1974? And with 10 ppm lead is not a problem; even with environmentalists saying it is a problem. The airport to watch is Van Nuys, CA, with as much small aircraft traffic as large airline airports like LAX or Atlanta, or Chicago O’Hare. If lead shows up next to the principal departure runways at Van Nuys, then a problem is looming. If not, then no problem exists with unleaded avgas. So, Van Nuys airport is the canary in the coal mine and I believe the FAA is monitoring lead levels at Van Nuys Airport. With the rest of the small aircraft fleet spread over the entire US, no problem can exist except at the most busy general aviation airports; Van Nuys in particular. Which also means the no lead avgas is simply not needed. And since the current push on small aircraft is electric motors with batteries and alternators, the fleet of general aviation aircraft using internal combustion engines and leaded gas will likely shrink over time. Strongly suggesting the environmentalists are beating a dead horse. Just not enough lead in 250,000 small aircraft with internal combustion engines to warrant no lead avgas gas. And in fact, no lead avgas causes exhaust valves to seize over time without the lead for cooling. This person found out for himself in his 1964 Cessna 172 during the 1980s using unleaded avgas and burning two exhaust valves 200 flying hours apart. Unleaded avgas does not provide the cooling needed for aircraft internal combustion exhaust valves.
There is no point fighting the switch to unleaded - it is going to happen!
What I want to know is why no journalists mention GAMI any more. Since this is the only unleaded 100 fuel that can be used in every piston engine fixed wing aircraft made - it would seem to be relevant to mention/compare and contrast, whenever something from another firm is mentioned.
But - maybe advertising dollars are on the line and a concerted effort is being made to kill the little upstart company’s product before it can gain a foothold. Is Avweb controlled in this way?