Beyer, Obernolte Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Transition to Unleaded Aviation Fuel

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) today introduced the Undoing National Lead Exposure through Authorizing Directed Education from DOT (UNLEADED) Act, bipartisan legislation to support the transition from leaded to unleaded aviation gasoline (Avgas) in general aviation.

While leaded gasoline has been banned in motor vehicles for more than 25 years, the use of leaded Avgas remains widespread across the general aviation sector, which includes roughly 220,000 aircraft operating at more than 20,000 airports nationwide. As a result, general aviation aircraft are now the largest source of lead emissions in the United States. The UNLEADED Act would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a comprehensive education program to support the safe and effective adoption of unleaded Avgas.

"General aviation is critically important to our national economy and to emergency services like medical transport and disaster response, but it remains the largest source of lead emissions in the United States," said Rep. Don Beyer. "Although new unleaded aviation fuel alternatives are being developed and certified, many pilots and operators lack clear information about their availability, safety, and compatibility. Our bipartisan UNLEADED Act will help bridge the information gap by ensuring pilots, instructors, and aviation professionals have the tools they need to safely transition to unleaded fuels as they become available, which will protect public health while supporting a strong general aviation sector."

"As the general aviation community continues to grow, we must ensure that our pilots and others in the industry are informed about the latest developments in aviation technology, particularly the future of unleaded gasoline for general aviation aircraft," said Rep. Jay Obernolte. "The UNLEADED Act will ensure that the general aviation community is familiar with the current state of certified unleaded fuel alternatives by directing the FAA to establish an educational program on unleaded aviation gasoline. Initiatives such as this one are critical as we move towards the goal of a lead-free general aviation fleet."

Representatives Robert Garcia (D-CA) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) are original co-sponsors of the UNLEADED Act.

This legislation is also supported by organizations including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and Vertical Aviation International (VAI).

"Business aviation is committed to achieving a safe and sustainable transition to a lead-free future, and meaningful progress is already well underway," said National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen. "But reaching this goal safely and at scale requires clear, consistent education for pilots, aircraft owners and fuel providers. The bipartisan UNLEADED Act will help accelerate the adoption of safe, approved unleaded fuels by ensuring the entire aviation community has the information needed to move forward with confidence. We thank Reps. Beyer and Obernolte for their leadership in advancing a practical solution that protects public health while preserving the safety and reliability of our National Airspace System."

Specifically, the Undoing National Lead Exposure through Authorizing Directed Education from DOT (UNLEADED) Act, would:

• Direct the FAA to establish an education program about new unleaded aviation gasoline authorized for use by the Administrator,
• Require the education program to include information related to the compatibility of certified unleaded Avgas fuels with GA aircraft engines, in addition to the availability of certified unleaded Avgas fuels for purchase, and relevant certifications needed to utilize the fuels,
• Publicize the status of all variations of unleaded aviation gasoline undergoing authorization by the FAA,
• Ensure the newly established education program is made available to flight instructors and pilot schools, and
• Facilitate annual education and training for Fixed-Base Operators leadership and staff that transport and handle unleaded aviation gasoline.

Text of the UNLEADED Act is available here.