5d.
Unleaded Fuel Transition - Staff Update
It was brought up that Reid-Hillview County Airport made the transition to unleaded fuel in October.. Mr. Baer
responded that Reid-Hillview has the GAMI G100UL product. There are currently three unleaded products
including GAMI. Swift is producing UL 94 and has been granted a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) by the
FAA for two models of the Cessna 172 to use its 100R product. Swift is going through the American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM) testing protocols, which is the same standard for auto fuels. The most contentious
and concerning difference between GAMI fuel and the other two fuel producers is that GAMI has not and will
not go through the ASTM Certification process. As such, some aircraft companies, e.g., Cirrus will not warranty
any components of an aircraft if it has used GAMI fuel. This is the reason there is hesitation in the marketplace
regarding GAMI fuel. Liability is a significant factor in these discussions and the lack of an ASTM adds to the
concerns. These are some of the considerations and decisions that the FBOs and other fuel providers will have to
make.
A comment was made that Buchanan Field is in close proximity to Marathon Petroleum Corporation, who has
converted to being a green fuel refinery. The recommendation was made to have Airport staff reach out to
Marathon in a fact-finding effort. Vice Chair McMahon reminded the committee that the AAC has a
subcommittee for fuel and could provide assistance.
A schedule of the transition process was requested, but since the fuel industry, and not the Airports, will be
driving this process, there are too many unknown factors for the Airports to be able to set targets and goals.
Factors including liability, ASTM testing, and what happens when fuels are mixed together (i.e., GAMI fuel
mixed with Swift fuel) are questions that have yet to be answered.
A request was made for Mr. Baer to provide the committee with a current status of the implementation of
unleaded fuel from local and industry perspectives. This will help committee members respond to questions and
concerns from the neighboring community.
5e.
Attachments:
Vice Chair McMahon expressed disappointment with the decision not to meet at Byron Airport this
year. He reminded the committee of the work that former AAC Chair Ron Reagan did for Byron
Airport and wants to make sure that it continues. The suggestion was made to meet in May 2025
and to pair it with an activity, for example a tour. If the Patriots Jet Team has time, it may be
possible to schedule something with them on a meeting date at Byron.
Vice Chair McMahon requested a motion to adopt the 2025 AAC meeting schedule with an
amendment to correct the dates on the meeting schedule attachment to reflect 2025.
Motion:
Second:
Barnett
Leddy
Aye:
Ashley, Baker, Barnett, Celestre, Leddy, McMahon,
Meinbress, and Salimi
Absent:
Result:
Baker, Bruno, Hickman-Smith, and Stappen
Passed
5f.
AAC Seats Expiring in 2025
