Paul Bertorelli on unleaded AvGas, Electric Airplanes

Interesting Pilot’s Discretion from Sporty’s podcast, Paul Bertorelli talking about G100UL (and how the high output engines are still missing from the STC AML, despite all the requested tests going through the Wichita ACO around February 2022, to FAA headquarters, with the recommendation that the AML expansion be approved). Fielding the fuel: GAMI has an agreement with AvFuel, who will handle manufacturing and distribution. New FAA program, EAGLE, following up on PAFI, 8 year timeframe to replace 100LL. FAA doesn’t like the STC approach? (Read the research: “There’s nothing like lead as an octane enhancer. Nothing. Nothing has come close.” Coordinating Research Council, research group funded by oil industry, looked at 279 blends, found ~12 that might meet octane requirement, but not tested for longevity, evaluated for cost...) 100LL: 180-200 million gallons/year, high margin product. If FAA approves STC, timeline to pumping G100UL is a complete unknown. Swift’s 94UL, only made in Indiana, distributed to a couple of dozen airports, trying to build a market for the fuel. “Great fuel,” but hasn’t established a market. Estimates a slow transition of years.

On electric airplanes, Textron buying Pipistrel: Drones are the immediate future? (Seeing their effectiveness in Ukraine.) Electric training aircraft position makes sense. Textron doesn’t have a great history of introducing new products: diesels (canceled); NGP to replace 210 (disappeared); bought Columbia and abandoned it after 10 years... 1 hour endurance, 3 hour cycle time, would flight schools be interested? 90 minutes or 2 hours interesting, 1 hour kills it. Role for electric trainers in medium / larger flight schools, but 1 hour is on the ragged edge and couldn’t replace the entire fleet. (Questions as to whether the Pipistrel is robust enough to serve in that capacity.) 90 minute endurance in sight, a barrier that will be overcome, but a redesign of the airplane are too light for flight training.

Urban air mobility: 2030 probably a good place to be thinking about it. Remarkably capable airplanes with serious builders. Joby is well capitalized. Thinks it will get through certification but on the FAA’s schedule, not Joby’s.