FAA Approves Swift Fuels’ 100R Unleaded Avgas for Over 1,200 Engine Models
In a significant move towards eradicating toxic lead from general aviation fuel, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has substantially broadened its approval of Swift Fuels’ 100R unleaded aviation gasoline. This expansion includes more than 1,200 piston engine models and 1,600 airframe models to the fuel’s Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Approved Model List (AML). This covers aircraft that currently consume about 56% of all 100LL leaded avgas used across the United States.
The newly certified engines encompass models from over 80 piston engine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This includes Lycoming (~395 models), Continental (~195 models), Curtis Wright (95 models), and Pratt & Whitney (95 models), among many others. All approved models comply with ASTM International fuel specification D8603. Notably, 100R remains the only commercially available 100-octane unleaded avgas operating under FAA-approved STCs and a formal ASTM production standard.
Swift Fuels describes this expansion as Phase I of its broader transition plan. Phase II and Phase III approvals, targeting higher-performance, high-compression engine combinations, are anticipated through 2028. The FAA’s initiative aligns with the U.S. government’s mandate to fully transition general aviation to unleaded fuel by the end of 2030. Pilots who previously held a Swift UL94 STC will automatically receive a 100R STC at no extra cost through the company’s “Forever STC” program.
Source: General Aviation News – FAA Approves 100R Unleaded Avgas for More Aircraft