NBAA Requests Full Funding For Unleaded Avgas-Transition Effort

Dec. 23, 2013
Three other aviation groups join effort to continue funding that meets or exceeds the $5.6 million budget request submitted for the fiscal 2014 budget.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and four other groups representing general aviation wrote House and Senate subcommittee leaders to request continued, full funding for a government-industry effort to qualify and certify the safety of unleaded avgas for use in piston-powered aircraft.

Specifically, the aviation groups asked for funding that meets or exceeds the $5.571 million budget request submitted by the Obama administration for the fiscal 2014 budget, noting that this would, “enable government and industry to begin implementation of the recommendations made by the FAA’s Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee.”

The letter – sent to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies – was signed by NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen; Mark Baker, president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association; Jack Pelton, chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association; Peter Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and; Tom Hendricks, president and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association.

In their message, the aviation groups said funding is merited as it “transitions the [government-industry] program from an initial phase to one focused on coordinating and facilitating the fleet-wide evaluation, certification and deployment of an unleaded fuel in piston-engine aircraft.”

In thanking the subcommittee leaders for their past support of the government and industry initiative to produce an unleaded avgas replacement for the 100-octane low-lead fuel currently in use in piston aircraft, the associations said, “The support of your subcommittee now and in the future will be essential for ensuring that the transition effectively balances environmental improvement with aviation safety, technical challenges, and economic impact.”

Review the letter to Sen. Patty Murray, chairwoman, Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies.

Review the letter to Rep. Tom Latham, chairman, Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies.

Review the letter to Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member, Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies.

Review the letter to Rep. Ed Pastor, ranking member, Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies.