A coalition of seven aviation stakeholder organisations has formally submitted comments to the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed endangerment finding of lead in aviation gasoline (avgas). The coalition reaffirmed its support for removing lead from avgas through a safe and smart transition.

In its comments, the coalition emphasised that it is in the public interest to eliminate lead from avgas and outlined industry's continued work on an unleaded replacement that meets the safety performance needs of the US fleet of piston aircraft, as well as FAA regulatory requirements. Ongoing development and deployment of potential safe and market-viable high octane unleaded replacement fuels are making headway and are strongly supported by a collaborative industry/government initiative.

The comments highlight the progress of the four current developers working towards possible high octane replacement fuels, including one that has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) for its unleaded fuel. The comments also underscore that aviation safety depends on an orderly, nationally synchronised transition to unleaded avgas, while emphasising how the premature removal of an essential fuel that many aircraft require for safe operation would compromise the safety, efficiency and economic viability of the US general aviation industry and transportation infrastructure.

The coalition urges the EPA, in coordination with the FAA, to ensure that any final finding and follow on regulatory actions align with the development and deployment of a viable unleaded avgas alternative.

Additionally, the coalition supports the comments submitted by the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative, an industry/government partnership working to facilitate the successful transition to lead-free avgas for piston aircraft by the end of 2030 without compromising the safe and efficient operation of the general aviation fleet.

The aviation stakeholder organisations making up the coalition include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and American Petroleum Institute (API).