Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

San Carlos Flight Center (SCFC) has switched its Cessna 172 fleet to Swift Fuels’ 100R unleaded 100-octane aviation gas. While 100R isn’t yet available for retail purchase at California’s San Carlos Airport, SCFC arranged with Swift Fuels to purchase the 100R for its airplanes, which have been running exclusively on Swift’s unleaded UL94 fuel since 2021.
The new 100R fuel received an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) on September 6 for Cessna 172R and S models equipped with Lycoming IO-360-L2A engines. Swift is planning to obtain STCs to cover many more aircraft and engines and also to meet ASTM International standards.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Lycoming engine approved for Swift Fuels 100R unleaded aviation gas" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3e94c0b7-9eca-417d-9861-df51dd531559" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Engine%20STC.jpeg" width="5162" height="3441" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Certain Lycoming engines in Cessna 172R and S models are approved for the new Swift Fuels high-octane unleaded 100R aviation gas.</figcaption>
</figure>

SCFC owner Alessandro Franco praised San Carlos fuel provider Rabbit Aviation Services CEO Dan DeMeo and airport manager Gretchen Kelly “for their invaluable collaboration during this transition.”
“We are thrilled to adopt 100R fuel for our fleet," he said. “Not only does it align with our commitment to sustainability, but it also enhances aircraft performance and extends engine life—benefits that directly impact our pilots and maintenance team.”
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img align-right">
<img alt="San Carlos Flight Center Cessna 172 refueling with Swift 100R. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ae1ea934-ff3b-42d2-aa8b-efbcdb831691" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/SCFC.jpeg" width="3648" height="5472" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>San Carlos Flight Center Cessna 172 refueling with Swift 100R.&nbsp;</figcaption>
</figure>

Rabbit Aviation offers conventional leaded 100LL and Swift UL94 for retail customers and plans to transition to 100R when it becomes more available and more aircraft obtain the STCs. “This is a demonstration process,” said DeMeo. “Early next year, we will start sunsetting UL94 and converting to 100R.”
Price of the 94UL and 100R fuel is slightly more than 100LL, according to Franco, but the maintenance benefits somewhat offset the increased fuel expense. Not only is SCFC experiencing less spark plug fouling but oil analysis results show less wear metal. “We’ve been very happy with [the unleaded fuel],” he told AIN.&nbsp;
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Swift Fuels wing stickers" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="639fd1b6-d191-465a-8b89-1cc3fdb69cb0" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/100R%20stickers.jpeg" width="5432" height="3621" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>New stickers show that Swift 100R is approved for this airplane.</figcaption>
</figure>

“We’re very aware and conscious of our impact, be it from an emissions standpoint or noise standpoint,” Franco said, “and we’re very happy with this product from an operations perspective and the community and sustainability and keeping general aviation in good graces with our neighbors. That’s been a huge talking point, and that’s why we were ready to jump in. It’s definitely time to move forward.”

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San Carlos Flight Center Adopts Unleaded Swift 100R Aviation Gas

High-octane unleaded avgas is becoming more available in California

The new Swift Fuels 100R fuel received an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) on September 6 for Cessna 172R and S models with Lycoming IO-360-L2A engines. 

San Carlos Flight Center Adopts Unleaded Swift 100R

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