The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ruled that a prohibition of the sale of 100LL (low lead) avgas—the primary fuel used in piston aircraft worldwide—at two airports in Santa Clara County, California, violated obligations the County agreed to when receiving $6.8 million in federal airport development assistance between 1983 and 2011, among other federal funds.
Local pilots and aviation businesses affected by the fuel ban joined the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) in filing a complaint in 2022, arguing the County’s decision to only sell unleaded fuels at Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport (KRHV) and San Martin Airport (E16) was premature as a portion of the general aviation fleet still requires 100LL fuel to operate safely.
In its ruling on March 24, the Director of the FAA Office of Airports Compliance and Management Analysis ordered the county take three corrective actions:
- Remove restrictions on the purchase, storage, and use of aviation fuel, including 100LL.
- Allow self-fueling with 100LL by commercial service operators.
- Eliminate rules that favor aircraft that can safely use unleaded fuel over those that cannot.
“The general aviation industry wants to move toward unleaded fuels, but the issue in Santa Clara County is that the transition was forced upon pilots and businesses before many can use it,” said AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance.
“AOPA strongly supports the transition to unleaded fuels, while ensuring a continuous supply of 100LL until an acceptable alternative is available for all aircraft. We will continue collecting feedback from general aviation pilots about their experience with unleaded fuels. AOPA will also continue to invest to accelerate this transition. Last year, we documented our findings after flying a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron—running one engine on 100LL and the other on one of the early 100-octane unleaded alternatives—for a full year,” Pleasance added.
Santa Clara County has 30 days to present a corrective action plan to the FAA or file an appeal.
