100SF is a renewable fuel being developed by Swift Enterprises of West Lafayette, Ind., as a possible replacement for 100LL aviation fuel. The company’s goal is to develop a renewable fuel to replace 100LL without requiring modifications to existing engines.
“Lycoming Engines strongly advocates the development of an unleaded fuel to replace 100LL for the existing fleet,” says Michael Kraft, Lycoming vice president of research, development and engineering. “Synthetic renewable fuels hold great promise to achieve high octane ratings without the tetraethyl lead additives required by crude oil derived fuels. The 100SF initiative is one of several worldwide aviation fuel research projects based on this approach. While this partnership is not an endorsement of 100SF by Lycoming, we believe it’s important to aid in this research.”
Lycoming is providing the engines for the testing of the Swift fuel, while the FAA’s Aviation Fuel and Engine Test Facility is performing the testing. (www.tc.faa.gov)Lycoming’s support for alternative fuels is long-lived. Lycoming added a trade name 91/96 unleaded to its list of approved fuels for a wide range of engines on Jan. 20, 1995. (See Service Instruction 1070 on the web at www.Lycoming.com)“We think it’s important to the business of manufacturing piston aircraft engines to take a leadership role in the definition of the next generation of fuels that make them go,” says Ian Walsh, Lycoming senior vice president and general manager. “It’s part of our commitment to the pilots flying our engines today and in the future.” This is just one part of Lycoming’s alternative fuels leadership. Lycoming is also engaged in the following efforts:
• Lycoming continues alternative fuel evaluations for its piston engines via its “Automotive Gasoline Approval” program announced at Oshkosh in 2008.
• The development of alternative-fuel capable control systems and engines continues to move forward with programs such as the Lycoming iE2 integrated electronic engine and the IO-233-LSA.
• Lycoming holds a voting membership position on the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Avgas Subcommittee.
• Lycoming is an active participant in the ASTM Synthetic Turbine Fuel Committee.
• Lycoming is a strong proponent for public advocacy and educational forums, as demonstrated by its panel participation on the status of aviation fuels at Oshkosh and Aero Friedrichshafen.
Randy Jenson, director of Lycoming’s Advanced Solutions Center, will present the forum “Aviation Fuels Update 2009” on Tuesday, July 28, at 1 p.m. in 002 GAMA Pavilion.
About Lycoming
Lycoming Engines specializes in engineering, manufacture, service and support of piston aircraft engines. Headquartered in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Lycoming piston engines power more than half of the world's rotary- and fixed-wing general aviation fleet. Lycoming Engines is a division of Avco Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.lycoming.com.
About Textron
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.
