GAMI must ensure compatibility–for shipping, for storage, for mixing in ground and air tanks. ASTM seems to be the way forward on this. As ASTM is an entirely volunteer organization with standards formed by consensus, GAMI needs to get volunteering and forming a consensus.
It only takes one chess move to screw all of us aircraft owners, and here it is: 1) GAMI refuses ASTM and ends up being the “only” unleaded choice,
2) With no choice (driven by government regulation), FBOs convert tanking and distribution to carry G100UL
3) The next competitor comes along and says, “I have a great unleaded fuel!” But without ASTM, there’s no way for that future competitor to prove compatibility. So, we’ve just handed GAMI a monopoly on our fuel supply. You thought the TEL supplier was a problem? Just wait.
This is entirely a self-own on the part of GAMI. If they don’t like ASTM, they’re welcome to build consensus and rewrite the standard. Otherwise, this is just a barrier to entry that they’ve known about since the beginning. Having the FAA approve the fuel is obviously only step #1. Distributing, storing, and dispensing the fuel was obviously step #2. Taking steps that ensure GAMI owns the distribution indefinitely and selling it as, “but we don’t like ASTM and refuse to play” is the definition of gaslighting.
I have no sympathy for an organization who refuses to play by the well stated rules of the game since the beginning. It’s not like trucking, distribution, and FBOs are a surprise problem that no one ever thought of.