Understanding the Transition to Unleaded Aviation Gasoline: A Primer (2026)
Chapter: What Other Actions Can Airports Take to Reduce Lead-Related Impacts?
- Securing grant funding to improve airport fueling infrastructure so that unleaded aviation gasoline can be provided alongside 100LL.
There are, however, a number of potential challenges that airports will face in making unleaded aviation gasoline available. These challenges include:
- Overcoming aircraft operator resistance to using unleaded fuel, which may cost more than 100LL and could require the purchase of an STC that could limit the use of unleaded aviation gasoline.
- Uncertainty regarding the timing of unleaded aviation gasoline availability and their suitability for different types of aircraft.
- The potential need to modify refueling infrastructure to accommodate both unleaded aviation gasoline and 100LL.
- Ensuring that any risk of aircraft safety being compromised by misfueling is eliminated.
- Ensuring on-demand product availability and timely supplier delivery to a specific airport.
What Other Actions Can Airports Take to Reduce Lead-Related Impacts?
There are three main factors influencing people’s exposure to lead from the use of leaded aviation gasoline. These factors are: (1) the amount of lead in the fuel, (2) the proximity of people to aircraft burning leaded aviation gasoline, and (3) meteorology, which determines how much lead emitted from an aircraft is diluted by mixing with the air before reaching people. Of these, the use of unleaded gasoline is clearly the most definitive solution to the issue. However, changing the proximity of people to lead emissions can serve as an interim step in reducing human exposure to lead at and around airports while the transition to unleaded fuel progresses. Suggestions for accomplishing this include:
- Increasing the distance between run-up locations and populated areas.
- Considering wind direction when locating run-up areas to avoid them being generally upwind of populated areas.
- Minimizing engine idle time.
- Posting warning signs for “exhaust fumes” to encourage people to avoid specific areas.
- Promoting pilot awareness to minimize engine operation on the ground.
Resources that provide additional information on interim steps that can be taken to reduce lead exposure are available from the FAA and flyeagle.org as well as previous studies
