I just received this from the FAA:

FAAST Blast
Notice Number: NOTC2273

FAAST Blast — May 06, 2010Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News update
EPA Issues Proposed Rulemaking for Leaded AvgasOn April 28, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), the first step in a process that may lead to standards mandating GA’s transition to unleaded avgas. This action allows the public to comment on the current data being considered to develop standards to control lead emissions from piston-powered aircraft. Avgas is the only remaining transportation fuel in the United States that contains lead. FAA is committed to continue working with the GA community to test, adopt, and certify a new aviation gasoline fuel standard. In addition, FAA established a GA alternative fuels program at the FAA Technical Center to continue research of unleaded aviation fuels and has issued many supplemental type certificates (STCs) to allow aircraft with lower-performance engines to operate with unleaded automobile gasoline. Despite ongoing research, currently there is no definitive replacement for unleaded avgas available that will meet the needs of all GA aircraft. EPA will use data gathered through this comment-seeking process, as well as work with FAA and industry, to decide whether to enact restrictions on the use of leaded avgas. EPA estimates that lead emissions from aircraft using leaded avgas accounts for approximately half of the national inventory of lead emitted to air. EPA will accept public comment on the ANPRM until June 28, 2010. To view the ANPRM and to provide comments, go to www.regulations.gov and search Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0294. Atlantic City International Airport Launches Digital NOTAMsEffective April 20, Atlantic City International Airport (KACY) is the first in the U.S. national airspace system to deliver digital notices to airmen (NOTAM). This transition to a new digital notification system is “a major technological change,” said Nancy Kalinowski, FAA vice president, System Operations. “Digital information management is key to aviation safety.” The new digital NOTAM system reduces human error and provides more timely and accurate distribution of information about hazards and changes in aeronautical facilities, services, and procedures.
It took three seconds to transmit the first computer-generated digital NOTAM using a web-based software program that converts NOTAMs into a standard format for direct delivery to the U.S. NOTAM system. Before this upgrade, the NOTAM system remained unchanged for about 30 years. FAA plans full system delivery by 2014. The new direct-entry system will be demonstrated over the next 12 months at airports in Memphis, Norfolk, Richmond, Washington DC (Reagan), Chicago (Midway and O'Hare), Denver, Fort Wayne, and Fairbanks.
May/June FAA Safety Briefing Focuses on NextGenThe May/June issue FAA Safety Briefing highlights FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen, plan to provide more efficient navigation, more effective communications, and greatly improved surveillance capabilities. Check out articles on ADS-B, performance-based navigation technology, the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems, and more. The link to the online edition is: http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/.
Produced by the editors, FAA Safety Briefing, http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/Address questions or comments to: [email protected]

In a couple of years your plane will run on paperwork..won't need avgas anymore..unleaded or not! They will create the regulation and then let us worry how we are going to power our flyers.

To paraphrase interrogatively:

The FAA is holding a comments period to see how the pilot community reacts to possibly removing lead from 100 octane?

What this means to us:

• The lead in 100LL is necessary as an anti-knock additive for high compression engines (greater than 8.5:1?) Lead is not necessary as a valve seat lubricant, as even older aircraft engines were designed to run on 80 octane avgas, which contains roughly 1/5th the lead that 100LL does.
• Lead is kind of a pain in the ass, as it gums up plugs and builds up as scale on pistons and valves. It would not be that bad to see it go.
• We have no reliable and federally protected ethanol-free 92 octane substitute.
• We have no 100 octane substitute for high-compression engines

Does that cover it?

All of us have one Representative to Congress and Two Senators. I would suggest letting them know how the removal of 100LL without a viable alternative would effect you and the local businesses that depend upon you and other aircraft operators. I was actually pretty amazed how constituent input stalled the aircraft excise tax in the State of Washington

Here are the documents, unfortunately in Fedspeak:

http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/ ... tchall&N=0

Go here, sign in and leave comments, but don't forget to include your Representative and Senator:
http://www.regulations.gov/exchange/

Thanks Tom..it will be done. I will speak to my US Rep personally as I know his dad quite well and will see him Saturday.
HC

We have no 100 octane substitute for high-compression engines

Did they forget about Swift Fuel when they made that statement?

Just a few weeks back I got into quite a lively discussion over at the Pilots of America site over this topic..... I know, hard to believe I can get things fired up. ...

Anyway.... I proposed the alternative to 100LL is the Sunono brand of no lead racing fuel... it meets or exceeds all specs needed for aircraft applications.. Been tested beyond belief, used in NASCAR, SCCA NHRA, APBA, AMA and numerous other sanctioning bodies world wide, refinery ready for major production, good storage life.

Ben ( FLAME SUIT ON) Haas

180Marty wrote:

We have no 100 octane substitute for high-compression engines

Did they forget about Swift Fuel when they made that statement?

They didn't make that statement, I did. I was just trying to summarize the situation, if a little obtusely.

What I was getting at is that there is no wide available FAA-sanctioned replacement for 100LL yet. What is the current status of Swift Fuel?

Stol wrote:Anyway.... I proposed the alternative to 100LL is the Sunono brand of no lead racing fuel... it meets or exceeds all specs needed for aircraft applications..

What is used in those racing fuels to increase octane and lower volatility if not lead? I used to run VP periodically in my dirt bike for a race, but I didn't know enough to consider what makes it higher octane.

What is the current status of Swift Fuel?

All I can find lately is that Erik Lindbergh flew at S nFun with it and that Embry Riddle is flying their 172's with it. Also I remember reading about a reporter(can't remember which magazine) flying to Swift's location and filling up with Swift Fuel and flying back home. Worked good he said.

Strange..our racing fuel was blue and smelled just like 100LL, even when it burned. When the "Racing Fuel" truck didn't show up at the track I would run out to the airport and grab some 100LL..we paid a lot more/gal out of a 55 gal drum at the track that at the airport..HHHMMMMMMM?
HC

I'm already using unleaded gas! Mobile regular w/3%-4% ethanol. About $1.50 cheaper that 100LL, just a little more changeling getting it from the Mobile station to the wings.

couple weeks ago I read a article about swift fuel. said they were working on getting approval to run Embry-Riddle's 172s on it but hadn't received permission yet. My favorite part was that they expect the price to be around the current current cost of 100LL. remember 2 years ago they said they expected it to be ~1.50/gal.

Someone I know flew their plane a lot last fall on mogas, never checked for ethanol. kept one tank full of 100ll and would switch to that tank when he was landing because it made him feel better to have 100ll sitting in the carb while the plane waiting to be flown.

Latest EPA statement on lead in avgas

http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/articles/2 ... c_sect=gan

Some update on Swift Fuel.... about half-way down under "Eye On Future of Fuel" header

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1772-full.html

Swift Fuel website for those not familiar
http://www.swiftenterprises.com/Swift%20Fuel%20benefits.html

Would be good for us Rotax guys too.

Wonder what it will cost if it works out.....