On Tuesday, Swift Fuels revealed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has greatly increased the number of piston aircraft that can use its 100R unleaded aviation gasoline, adding over 1,200 engine models and 1,600 airframe models via updates to the fuel’s Supplemental Type Certificate (STC).
The company stated that the newly expanded Approved Model List (AML) features engines from more than 80 manufacturers, which includes around 395 models from Lycoming, 195 from Continental, 95 from Curtiss-Wright, and 95 from Pratt & Whitney. The airframe expansion encompasses over 1,600 aircraft models, with approximately 118 from Cessna, 101 from Beechcraft, 98 from Piper, as well as models from Mooney, Grumman, Stinson, WACO, Fairchild, and others.
This expansion of approvals marks another advancement in the FAA’s initiative to facilitate the industry’s shift away from leaded 100LL avgas by the decade’s end.
According to Swift, the newly authorized aircraft account for about 56% of the current U.S. consumption of 100LL and signify the initial phase of its wider certification strategy. The company anticipates further approvals for higher-performance engine and airframe combinations during the second and third phases of the program, which will extend through 2028.
Swift highlighted that 100R is presently the only commercially available 100-octane unleaded avgas that operates under FAA-approved STCs for eligible aircraft and meets ASTM International’s D8603 production specification.
Pilots are required to obtain a Swift Fuels STC prior to using 100R in eligible aircraft. Owners who have previously acquired the company’s UL94 STC will automatically receive a 100R STC at no extra cost through Swift’s “Forever STC” program.
Swift mentioned that 100R has been commercially available for nearly two years at five airports in the U.S. and five in Europe, with distribution now on the rise. The company expects the initial transition from UL94 to 100R at participating airports to commence this summer, covering locations in 29 states, including California, Colorado, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Utah, and Wisconsin. The international availability has also grown to include airports in Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Austria, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
The company indicated that efforts are ongoing with the FAA and engine manufacturers to certify the remaining high-performance piston fleet, with additional approvals anticipated through 2027 and early 2028.
The FAA initially approved Swift’s original 100R STC in September 2024.
Source: Original article
