Thread:

New AVGAS standard ....

Originally Posted by Enen

I wonder if Alexi or one of the other engine builders will chime in on this. Will this affect use in a performance marine engine?

Doubt that it will.


S CP

Originally Posted by rotorrider

The FAA has approved a new AVGAS standard for use for aircraft engines that currently use 100LL.
The new specification, called 100VLL (Very Low Lead) contains 19% less lead than the current specification.
It has determined that grade 100VLL meets all the performance requirements of grades 80, 91, 100, and 100LL and will perform identically in existing engines (aircraft). The color of VLL will be blue, and identical to 100LL.
Information taken from Nov. 2011 Business and Commercial Aviation, page 22.
Politics and EPA, of course.

Oh hell yes! This is outstanding (read: fucking bad-ass) news, and here's why:

For almost 10 years (or more) people have been pushing hard to eliminate 100LL altogether and force small piston-engine aircraft into using the newer aviation 87 MoGas which is a 100% unleaded fuel. And year after year, the 100LL hangs on by a thread--being allowed for a little while longer--as the push to 87 MoGas is continued.

The primary argument against the move to 87 MoGas is that there is still an overbundance of aircraft out there that must run on 100LL. That is to say, they need the leaded fuel in order to keep the engines alive while they are up in the sky. Most recently, it was being recommended for those particular aircraft to run 87 MoGas with occassional fill-ups of 100LL (approx. every 25 hours of run time) so as to keep the valve seats lubricated, etc. Perhaps that recommendation has only underscored the actual need for the 100LL.

If the latest devopment is simply that 100LL is to become 100VLL, and that this new fuel "meets all the performance requirements of grades 80, 91, 100, and 100LL and will perform identically in existing engines," then I would think this reformulation is a triumph for the 100LL users.

By the way, for reference purposes:

• The last leaded pump gas in California contained a maximum allowable lead content of 1/10 of a gram per gallon of gas (0.1g/Gal).
• 100LL contains 2 grams per gallon (2.0g/Gal.) or twenty times that of the last leaded pump gas.
• If 100VLL is to have just 19% less lead than 100LL, then it ought to still have a very useful 1.62 grams per gallon (1.62g/Gal.).

All things considered, not a bad deal.

LO

Originally Posted by Gone Green

Let's get down to brass tack's....would this fuel suppourt 14.1 engine..I live about 15 miles from an airport....thanks

Depends on the piston and chamber. A large dome would/could be an issue.

My 13:1 565 was fine with running a blended 2:1 av gas super blend.... 97-98 octane.

S CP

Originally Posted by jimsplace

I am curious about the comment "The new fuels won't run as dry so to speak as the old". For years I have heard people say AV gas is a "dry gas". The "dry gas" in my opinion has always been an incorrect interpretation, the dry refers to lack of water in the gas. Since airplanes tend to operate at high levels where the temperature is often very cold, any water would freeze, so the AV gas is highly filtered for water content.

Lack of lubrication in the fuel.

Poor the old av gas on your hands and you'd know in about 1 min what "dry" meant.

S CP

Although 100VLL will still meet the minimum knock standards, in a max effort performance build, you will notice a slight difference. The lead does slightly increase the octane value.

As far as the plugs fouling, that will be nice. Keep in mind that VP C16 has 6g of lead per gallon......

I also agree with Alexi, the old 100/130 is the best! Too bad it's not made anymore.

Originally Posted by coolerman

I also agree with Alex, the old 100/130 is the best! Too bad it's not made anymore.

WTF? Not old enought to remember 115/140?