Auto Gas for Aircraft use
Run the ethanol test on all the gas you buy. Do not burn fuel with
ethanol in your airplane. Revert to 100LL if ethanol free gasoline cannot be
found.
Gasoline blended with ethanol can be corrosive and damaging to aircraft fuel
systems. Range is less with ethanol blended gasoline. It has an affinity for
water and can pull moisture from inlet air on humid days to an extent which has
lead to engine malfunctions. If you cannot find gasoline that you are certain is
ethanol free then you must revert to using avgas.
It has become increasingly difficult for many pilots in the US to obtain ethanol
free gasoline. In some areas of the country it is impossible while in others it
is not. This is primarily due to Federal requirements now hard coded into EPA
regulations which require ever increasing quantities of ethanol to be blended
into the nations gasoline supply. Oil companies are required to do it or they
face hefty fines. Pilots must be vigilant when purchasing fuel to make certain
that it is conventional, non ethanol gasoline.
Marathon Oil Company is marketing a 90 octane unleaded non-ethanol
gasoline as a recreational fuel for boats. This fuel is perfectly suited for use
with 87 octane auto fuel STC's. In some locations it is one octane point higher,
91 octane. 91 octane is suitable for use with all auto fuel STC's.
90 or 91 octane may be available at the following bulk product terminals:
* Ft Lauderdale-Eisenhower
* Ft Lauderdale-Spangler
* River Rouge, MI
* Detroit, MI
* Romulus, MI
* Doraville, GA
* Powder Springs, GA
Pilots living near those areas of FL, MI or GA should contact the terminals to
find out where this "Recreational Fuel" is being distributed since not all
Marathon stations are carrying it.
Be advised that not all gasoline service station pumps are labeled as to ethanol
content. The ethanol industry considers pump labeling to be "discriminatory" and
lobbied successfully for elimination of Federal pump labeling laws at least in
regard to ethanol content. Hence today pumps are labeled as to ethanol content
only if state law continues to require it.
You may click here for
instructions on how to make an inexpensive reusable alcohol tester.