Fuel
Aviation Groups Urge Orderly Removal of Lead from Avgas
EPA guidance confirms danger to public health from leaded aviation fuel
Avgas is used by smaller piston aircraft
Aviation groups say they are committed to removing lead from avgas no later than 2030. (Image: NATA/Steve Berry)

Aviation groups have reiterated their call for an “orderly, nationally coordinated transition to unleaded avgas” in response to a new report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirming that emissions from leaded avgas may endanger public health and welfare. In a joint statement on the EPA’s latest endangerment guidance issued on October 18, industry groups including the National Business Aviation Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association said they will continue to work with the agency toward eliminating lead from avgas.

“While the EPA finding is a key step in the process, the EPA is not given the authority to ban, regulate, or limit aviation fuel,” said the groups' statement. “Instead the EPA’s finding triggers further deliberate rulemaking by FAA as the nation’s aviation safety regulator to ensure the successful development and deployment of viable unleaded avgas alternatives, given the critical safety and other issues at stake.”