FAA Releases PAFI Program Update

Last month the FAA issued an unleaded avgas progress update announcing the “Test results with the Shell fuel were not successful with testing indicating additional refinements are required.” Shell is committed to additional R&D efforts to make the proper adjustments for a safe and viable unleaded avgas.

 

The FAA has also been conducting screening testing of 3 fuels not previously part of the PAFI program at the William J. Hughes Technical Center during the first 6 months of 2019. The FAA states, “The FAA alternative fuels program for general aviation must be multi-faceted, ongoing, and supported by a collaborative government and industry process. The focus remains qualification and authorization of an acceptable unleaded fuel and the safe transition to a more environmentally friendly aviation fuel.” FAA and industry continue to work on a “PAFI Deployment Guide” that will provide a roadmap to successfully deploy an unleaded avgas into all sectors of the aviation community from the refineries to the wingtips of aircraft. 

 

NATA continues to participate on the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI), a government and industry collaboration, and we will be sure to keep you apprised on the development and deployment of a new unleaded aviation fuel(s) that can be available for the general aviation fleet. For further questions or concerns, please contact Megan Eisenstein at meisenstein@nata.aero.