Max talks with Eric Peterson, Director of Santa Clara County Airports, discussed the landmark arrival of G100UL, an unleaded 100-octane aviation gasoline, at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, making it the first airport in the U.S. to offer GAMI’s G100UL fuel. Santa Clara County, motivated by studies linking lead exposure to nearby airports, decided to phase out leaded fuels in 2022, initially adopting Swift’s UL94 fuel. However, the new G100UL caters to aircraft needing higher-octane fuel, expanding lead-free options for pilots.
To encourage adoption, GAMI is offering incentives: aircraft based at Reid-Hillview and San Martin Airports can receive the required Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for free by following certain steps, while Bay Area pilots who buy an STC by November 1 can get 25 gallons of free G100UL. Peterson highlighted challenges in sourcing G100UL due to limited distribution channels, which required direct contracting with the manufacturer Vitol Aviation. Currently priced at $6.99 per gallon, the fuel may decrease in cost once rail delivery becomes available.
With EPA regulations pushing for lead-free aviation fuel, Peterson emphasized that the shift is imminent, positioning Reid-Hillview as a national leader in environmentally sustainable aviation practices.
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