My take is that it’s a good start and important step towards fully de-leading the fleet fuel. There was a good article on AVweb breaking down the difference between the STC and ASTM approaches and the work that still need to be done:
https://www.avweb.com/uncategorized/eagle-and-gami-not-a-transparent-process/
If you own a plane, do you intend to buy the GAMI STC for it?
Do you have access to G100UL at your airport or in your area?
I don’t have access to it locally and I’m not an owner, but I would love to see adoption as quickly as possible. I’d suspect it’s going to have a lot to do with Signature and the like deciding to offer UL. I’m guessing adoption will be very slow and then gather momentum, but I’m still waiting on any word of it anywhere I might fly.
EDIT: and good article as always by Paul Bertorelli. I think it’s been clear that unleaded fuel has always been more about bureaucracy, liability, and politics rather than any remaining technical hurdle. It fits with my view that the FAA would legislate recreational piston GA out of existence if it were coming up today rather than being a vestige of history, and it’s a miracle we have anything at all to play with under their oversight.
As a pilot but not a plane owner (yet). I can’t wait for this to be available and as soon as it is anywhere nearby will push my flying club as hard as possible to get the STC and start using it.
I personally think it’s absolutely disgusting that lead has been allowed to be used in aviation fuel decades after we banned it everywhere else. I strongly considered NOT becoming a pilot because of the pervasive use of leaded fuel. I have a small child and the thought of accidentally poisoning her while flying, although unlikely, is always in my mind.
"I personally think it’s absolutely disgusting that lead has been allowed to be used in aviation fuel decades after we banned it everywhere else. I strongly considered NOT becoming a pilot because of the pervasive use of leaded fuel. "
Definitely agree, I had similar feelings starting out. I wish the FAA would drag its feet less, but am glad it’s finally making some progress. With this fuel as an option, I expect more municipalities will follow Reid Hillview (KRHV) and will force the issue.
I hope it gets adopted widely. It would be great if there was a better process that was feasible. As far as buying the STC, I will probably push for my club to get it once it’s available in my state, but it may be a challenge with some of my co-owners. The real path to the STC for me is likely when I’m flying to a destination where it’s the only option. That may happen for me and one of my other co-owners soon with trips to the west coast.