Please be advised –
At Swift Fuels, our $100 STC for aircraft using our unleaded avgas at KRHV is backed up by an ASTM International aviation gasoline fuel specification. Our fuel is also backed up by a $50 million product liability insurance policy for all our fuel sold and used at all US airports and customer sites. These factors are interrelated. The standards and quality of the fuel, the measures taken by all the industry participants to handle it properly, and the insurance / risk management industry all back-up our unleaded fuel products before the fuel enters the commercial marketplace. Furthermore, at “branded” airports nationwide, our insurance may be coupled with large well-known “branded” fuel distributor’s insurance policy who collaborate with us. However, at Reid Hillview there is no longer a branded fuel distributor in place. In effect, the Santa Clara County Airport Commission has basically assumed that role. Compared to many airports in California, the Reid Hillview arrangement is an anomaly. Nevertheless, to support our avgas customers at KRHV, Swift Fuels continues to carry our AM-Best rated $50 million product liability insurance for the airfield’s use of our proprietary unleaded fuel.
Also be advised, Swift Fuel’s risk management policies impose stipulations that do not allow intermixing our industry approved fuels with any fuel product that contains aromatic amines. G100UL reportedly contains between 2% to 7% (weight) meta-toluidine, known to be an aggressive solvent.
Swift Fuels will not indemnify any claims that stem from the use of, or intermixing of, any aromatic amines with our fuel. The Santa Clara County Airport Commission and our airport customers across California are aware of these stipulations of use.
The tank sealant issue when mixed with G100UL that came to light in certain aircraft fuel tanks several months ago - as reported by GAMI/Tylor Hall - is an incident which triggered compatibility concerns, and I believe has since led to the Cirrus SA24-14 advisory.
The bladder/wing tank leak and subsequent paint staining / stripping issue from using G100UL as reported by GAMI on the Baron flown by AOPA to Oshkosh in July ’24 has led to further industry concerns.
I believe incidents such as these are likely to continue from the use of G100UL until such time as proper fuel testing has been vetted by the broader industry.
As described herein, unapproved intermixing of aromatic amines with Swift Fuels’ products that lead to a tort or contractual claim – now or in the future – are likely the liability of the aircraft owner.
Chris D’Acosta
CEO – Swift Fuels, LLC