Shell Aviation has developed an unleaded avgas that will be submitted for regulatory approval.
The new new lead-free formulation comes after 10 years of R&D, as well as successful testing carried out in the last two months by Piper and Lycoming.
It is intended as a replacement for 100LL, which contains lead additive TEL-B. General aviation has been under pressure from environmental protection agencies to stop using 100LL for some years.
“We are proud of this first for Shell Aviation," said Xinsheng (Sheng) Zhang, Vice-President of Shell Aviation on Tuesday. "This advanced product is the latest milestone in our long history of innovation. We believe that with industry support, a stringent approvals process can be completed for this new lead-free product within a short time-frame.
"We look forward to working alongside our technical partners and authorities to progress the necessary approvals needed to make this product a reality for use in light aircraft engines of all types.”
In developing the fuel, Shell technologists carried out an intensive laboratory programme, including altitude rig and engine testing. Partnerships were then formed with Lycoming and the Piper Aircraft. As a result, the formulation was successfully evaluated in bench tests by Lycoming and in a flight test by Piper.
“Lycoming Engines commends Shell on launching its unleaded Avgas initiative," said Michael Kraft, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Lycoming Engines. “They engaged Lycoming to test their fuel on our highest octane demand engine and we can confirm that it’s remarkably close to avgas 100LL from a performance perspective. This initiative is a major step in the right direction for general aviation.”
Shell will now engage the aviation industry and regulators including the US Federal Aviation Administration, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to achieve approvals for the unleaded avgas.