NAAA submitted its comments on the EPA’s endangerment finding on leaded aviation fuel and is asking the agency not to ban tetraethyl lead prematurely. The EPA formally proposed the endangerment finding in early October, a couple of weeks after the FAA approved an STC for General Aviation Modifications Inc.’s unleaded alternative, G100UL, which works for all piston and reciprocating engines used in ag aircraft. With that said, the alternative fuel isn’t expected to be readily available until the end of 2030.
NAAA’s comments to the EPA reiterated the importance of aerial application’s role in helping to produce approximately one-third of the nation’s cropland and stated that “According to the 2020 FAA general aviation survey 15 percent of the aerial application fleet still depends on leaded aviation fuel. … Removal of leaded aviation fuel from the market before an alternative is readily available would cause a reduction in the ability to provide agriculture … with the most efficient application method and thus production.” NAAA concluded its comments to the agency by urging the EPA “to work with the FAA and industry to ensure the nationwide availability of a suitable fuel before removing leaded aviation fuel from use.” To read NAAA’s comments, click here.