GA Avgas Coalition Applauds FAA’s Creation of Avgas Fuels Program Office

Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, September 17, 2012 – In response to a letter from the industry members of the General Aviation (GA) Avgas Coalition urging funding for an unleaded avgas program, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the formation of a new Fuels Program Office. The office will be responsible for “providing technical expertise and strategic direction in the planning, management and coordination of activities related to aviation fuels.” This is the next important step in establishing an unleaded avgas transition program that will evaluate the viability of candidate fuels and generate the data needed for fleet-wide aircraft certification and development of a commercial fuel specification.

The letter went on to describe the organizational steps already underway by the FAA, many of which stemmed from the final recommendations made by the Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee (UAT ARC). This includes the hiring of a transition consultant to work with industry to establish a Piston Aviation Fuel Initiative steering group.

The general aviation industry members of the GA Avgas Coalition include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). The heads of these associations issued the following statement:

“The FAA’s direct involvement and participation in this process is critical to ensuring a fleet-wide transition to an unleaded avgas that will maintain consumer confidence and ensure the least impact on the existing fleet. The establishment of the new Fuels Program Office will ensure an efficient use of both government and industry resources and will provide a more comprehensive pathway and timeline to an unleaded fuel.”

Review a copy of the FAA letter to the GA Avgas Coalition (PDF).

# # #

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 9,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

Members of the media may receive NBAA Press Releases immediately via email. To subscribe to the NBAA Press Release email list, submit the online form at www.nbaa.org/news/pr/subscribe.