Following VP Racing Fuel's recent breakthrough in unleaded aviation fuel development, it has set up subsidiary company VP Aviation to manage rapid global commercialisation of the new fuel.

VP Racing and LyondellBasell, a producer and supplier of chemicals, polymers and fuel components, joined forces in 2018 to develop an unleaded aviation gasoline (avgas) in response to the FAA's invitation for new fuel offerors to enter the Piston Engine Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) programme. The latest version of its fuel recently passed a critical 150 hour durability test in a turbocharged Continental piston engine. This is the first unleaded fuel to pass this test and qualify for full-scale testing in the FAA's rigorous PAFI programme.

"The formation of VP Aviation is a response to this exclusive aviation fuel breakthrough," says Alan Cerwick, president and CEO of VP Racing and president of VP Aviation. "This new company will allow for rapid global commercialisation of the new fuel.

"Passing Stage Gate III of the FAA's PAFI test plan moves this fuel into full-scale testing in a number of engines and aircraft that represent a broad spectrum of general aviation technologies and materials. VP will work with original equipment manufacturers, pilots, distributors and regulatory bodies to seek authorisation for the unleaded fuel for GA use to replace 100 low-lead (100LL)."

Over the next 12-18 months, VP expects to have the only fuel to secure FAA fleetwide authorisation for high-octane, unleaded fuel in general aviation piston aircraft. Soon after, a gradual rollout will begin, leading to the eventual replacement of 100LL, ultimately meeting the 300 million gallon annual worldwide demand.