Rep Jay Obernolte On Fielding Unleaded Fuels

The FAA's 2023 Reauthorization Bill hit a snag when language in the bill appeared to require airports to continue selling 100LL gasoline. California Rep. Jay Obernolte explains to AVweb's Paul Bertorelli how an amendment fixed the problem.

[cartmanrlsusall]

Fadec and unleaded fuels should have been used 30 years ago

[AlyssaM_InfoSec]

Paul!! I love it. Thank you for not only having the congressman give us some important context on where that amendment came from but also asking him a number of direct and tough questions about the impact that this has on the GAMI G100UL fuel and the airports. That consensus standard hill is going to be a tough one to climb and I really hope this move isn't the end for G100UL.

[jamesengland]

Again, great work from Paul! That consensus standard seems elusive.

[stevespra]

We have right now a high octane unleaded aviation gas that is certified for the entire fleet. Why is the government against G100UL?

[tomdchi]

I was heartened at the start of this interview. I was brimming with optimism that this Rep might be among the minority of members of Congress who put good governance first. Where the rubber meets the road, how would a Rep act if he was swayed by lobbying money from major oil companies? Would it be any different from what this Rep is pushing here? That said, good to hear that he’s calling for a study to form a committee to report to a commission on the issue of there being far too few DPEs.

[stevespra]

I understand now. We have a representative "expert" who doesn't understand that an STC is FAA approved. The STC is cheap and GAMI needs to get paid back for all the hoops thst they've had to jump through.

[stevespra]

"Well, the amended language is less restrictive". No sir it is still a total road block to the one and only approved high octane unleaded avgas that we have. In fact, G100UL will always be the only approved high octane unleaded avgas with people like this in charge.

[thomascharlton]

Good discussion. Thanks. More speed bumps ahead. Fouled plugs n stuck valves . . . Let's get the lead out.

[michaelmccarthy]

The AQMD is behind all of these standards and rules. Their motivation has to be looked at with a critical eye towards transparency.

[dermick]

Without a doubt, there is someone actively throwing sticks in GAMI's spokes. Not sure I get it, but perhaps one day we'll understand who or what is behind this effort.

[raffly]

He says god bless GAMI but the language PREVENTS GAMI fuel from being used as a replacement for 100LL. JUST CHANGE THE LANGUAGE to say an INDUSTRY CONSENSUS STANDARD OR FAA APPROVED FUEL thus including G100UL. For cripes sake retaining this insurmountable obstacle to G100UL is short sighted and stupid.!!

[ackack]

THAT was a tremendous amount of information. As important as the fuel issues are, I find AI to be compelling in a manner that is potentially beyond what most of us are aware of. We have to be ahead of this at all times.

[kylel]

This Congressman is acting in bad faith. This bill essentially blocks GAMI from getting G100UL distributed. Him saying "well its better than before" is disingenuous. Impossible to field is impossible to field. This bill, if passed, would prevent unleaded gas from being distributed.

[bobcfi]

This seems to be big government against small business. I.e. GAMI
The STC should not be a show stopper.

[pipercomanche]

I wonder if this guy has had him palm greased by one of the large fuel manufacturers. I want to see his campaign donations. GAMI did it and won. Everyone needs to get behind them and push.

[ldmax]

The language in this bill was crafted specifically to stop GAMI from marketing G100UL. Someone really has it out for GAMI and wants to stop them at all costs. G100UL is already approved for every piston engine/airframe combination, but this bill prevents airports from selling it. Rep. Obernolte has clearly been lobbied and influenced by a group or groups whose motivation is to stop GAMI and G100UL. We need to follow the money so to speak and find out who is behind this relentless effort to prevent G100UL from hitting the market. This corruption needs to be investigated.

[Blxz]

This representative doing his bit to keep 100LL in use for another 2 decades. If there is one thing government understands it is inertia.

[Rio_Seco]

Typical politician. The guy ran his mouth for 17 min trying to make it sound like the amendment actually did something worthwhile (it didn't). A unleaded fuel exists right now and guys like him are shutting it out. Nothing worse then pilot (him) effectively screwing other pilots (us).

[marcelb]

Meanwhile in Europe, many GA airports are at risk of getting closed down altogether, because no one can explain to the general public why, 35 years after automotive engines have converted, many airplane engines STILL require lead today. And then there is the single pump problem making lead emissions 3 times bigger than they need to be (only 30% of the active fleet here stills requires it).

Even today the solution apparently has to come from a new expensive 100 octane fuel for everyone, rather than certified engine modifications or STCs for those affected.

With EASA looking at FAA for certification, and the US not yet facing the same level of pressure from communities, this issue risks causing a large blow to general aviation across Europe.

[oneninerniner]

The FAA/government should make a deal with GAMI and or Swift or whoever else may have formula thats currently STCed (which is actually only GAMI at this point i believe for 100 octane). In lieu of an STC pay GAMI a negotiated amount and or a percentage of every gallon for their long suffering hard work developing G100UL and their endless testing every which way but loose to prove that it is in fact what its supposed to be, a fully fungable drop in 100 LL replacement. Get the licenseing out to the oil companies that currently formulate & sell AV gas or those companies that may want to formulate & sell the new G100UL AV gas. And get on with it! I know I know, but there's money to be made here right? so we have to come up with our own formula, because we just can't let GAMI have it all right? What a bunch of typical political bull of course! 😡