In a strongly worded letter to the leadership of Santa Clara\nCounty California, the FAA is investigating the county\u2019s ongoing safety issues,\nincluding its rushed ban of 100LL fuel as of Jan. 1, 2022, as it considers\npossible violations of federal law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aviation groups, as well as local pilots and airport-based\nbusinesses, have shown that the ban carries significant safety risks as it does\nnot provide a safe transition to unleaded fuel. In the letter, the FAA\n\u201cstrongly recommends that the county take action to suspend the effective date\nof its ban on leaded gas at the county-owned airports until this matter can be\nresolved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the FAA has received multiple complaints from airport tenants and users, along with a group representing industry stakeholders who allege violations of grant assurances at Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV) and San Martin Airport (E16), the agency is commencing an investigation under 14 CFR part 13 (\u201cReports of Violations\u201d). The FAA has also shortened the response time for the county to 20 days, as it does so when \u201ccircumstances require expedited handling of a particular case or controversy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FAA cited a sizable list of relevant complaints as a\nbasis for its investigation, including \u201cthe failure to address a significant\nnumber of significant safety concerns which have been enumerated in detail to\nthe county via letters from the FAA. The county is on notice with regard to\nthese serious safety concerns and the issues remain unresolved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, the FAA is looking into the county\u2019s refusal to\noffer long-term leases for all tenants at Reid-Hillview airport whose leases\nwill expire on Dec. 31, 2021. In all, the FAA is investigating eight potential\nviolations by the county.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The general aviation industry is strongly committed to an\nunleaded future, but through a smart and safe transition. The industry has\npointed out that the reckless and hurried ban could cause risks of misfuelling\nand potential engine failure in aircraft with the wrong fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n