Global GA community gathered at IAOPA World Assembly 

The decision on the phase-out of Avgas 100LL is getting closer

What is currently happening in the USA and Europe on the matter? There is no doubt that the time of leaded Avgas 100LL is coming to an end. On the one hand, there are  environmental arguments against it, and on the other hand, there is only one manufacturer of the lead-containing additive tetra-ethyl lead (TEL) left in the world, and it is most likely no longer willing to invest in new plants in view of steadily declining sales volumes. The risk for our global industry in the event of the failure of this one manufacturer's production plant is enormous.

During the IAOPA World Assembly in Washington in May 2024, participants from all over the world were able to hear directly from FAA Director Bruce DeCleene how the authorities in the USA envisage the transition to 100-octane unleaded avgas. The transition is to take place by 2030 at the latest, or even earlier as soon as unleaded avgas is ready for introduction on the market. The two FAA-funded programs PAFI (Piston Engine Aviation Fuels Initiative) and EAGLE (Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions) are moving towards their goal.

It was also exciting to hear from the three remaining competitors from the mineral oil industry about how they are positioning themselves for the market launch, which is obviously about securing pole position in the US market, which dominates in terms of volume. Only once this has been secured will the introduction of the fuel in Europe, the second largest market, and elsewhere be considered.

One thing is clear: only one supplier will remain on the market, the fastest. The other two will probably have to write off their investments. There is currently a debate as to whether GAMI's fuel is actually ready for the market. GAMI co-founder George Braly has put it this way: We have the STC for all aircraft types, we have full tanks in our refinery and we can start delivering tomorrow. However, the two GAMI competitors, who will probably still need a few months before their fuels are approved, point out that there are still unresolved issues with GAMI avgas, for example in connection with airfield tanks and fuel trucks, which would prevent an immediate market launch.

All IAOPA representatives agree that lead in our fuel must go, but also that a continuous fuel supply is essential for our industry in the critical transition phase to a lead-free alternative. A corresponding resolution entitled “Supporting the Implementation of Unleaded Avgas”, which calls for international coordination of the authorities, was introduced by AOPA-Germany and adopted unanimously at the IAOPA World Assembly.

In Europe, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), based in Helsinki, will decide in June 2024 on the applications of the three companies Shell, Trafigura/Puma and Warter to continue blending the additive TEL. The aim of these companies is to continue producing Avgas 100LL in Europe until lead-free avgas alternatives become available. If their requests are granted, we can expect an orderly transition to unleaded avgas.

In order to achieve this goal, we as IAOPA, together with the GAMA and Europe Air Sports associations, have repeatedly and clearly stated our position to the ECHA in the public hearings and also forwarded the IAOPA resolution at short notice. However, if these industry requests are not granted by the ECHA, Avgas 100LL would no longer be allowed to be produced in Europe from May 2025, although imports would still be possible and feasible despite logistical difficulties. Industry insiders tell us that there were phases a few decades ago when Avgas 100LL was imported directly from the USA to Europe. This would be possible again, but would unfortunately be associated with a price increase, and the environment would not be helped by the additional transportation routes.

New Executive Director for EASA

Florian Guillermet is the successor of Luc Tytgat as the new Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.  Guillermet moves to EASA directly from France’s DSNA, where he had served as Director Air Navigation Services since June 2021. He headed the 7,000-person organisation with full accountability for the delivery of its services and the smooth running of its operations.

Guillermet brings extensive leadership experience from various organizations in the aviation sector. He has worked in aviation for 26 years, including top level management posts in France and in European Union aviation organizations.  

‘My ambition is to take EASA to the next level, making it a modern organization fit for the digital age, while ensuring the highest standards of civil aviation safety and environmental protection are met across the entire aviation ecosystem,’ Guillermet said. ‘While the Agency’s core role is as a regulator, I want to build strong relationships with stakeholders, in Europe and globally, to ensure all air travel is safe for every EU citizen.
‘I look forward to channeling the undoubted expertise of EASA’s staff to achieving these goals in a positive and inclusive multicultural working environment.’ 

During his 26 years working in the aviation sector, Florian Guillermet has held top-level management posts at aviation organizations in France and the European Union. In addition to extensive leadership experience, he has acquired profound knowledge of many aviation domains, particularly safety and Air Traffic Management (ATM).

Guillermet moved to EASA directly from France’s DSNA, where he served as Director Air Navigation Services since June 2021. Prior to that, he was Executive Director at SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR-JU), leading the delivery of performance improvements in ATM safety, capacity, efficiency, and its environmental impact.
He held various positions at Eurocontrol from 2003 to 2011, ranging from system developments to operational service delivery. His earlier work experience involved various aviation roles in France.

New Garmin databases for Europe

Adaptation of flight plan obligation for VFR flights within the Schengen area

AOPA Netherlands proposed to abolish the obligation to submit a flight plan for flights to surrounding countries in certain cases. That request has been honored. The relevant regulations will be amended.

You can, of course, decide to submit a flight plan anyway. There may be good reasons for doing so. The following is described about this in the decision:  Where no flight plan is required, it remains a recommendation to submit a flight plan if one wishes to use flight intelligence or alerting services to facilitate a SAR operation.

No flight plan is required for VFR flights to or from a State within the Schengen area unless: a. the relevant state has a flight plan requirement for VFR flights; b. the flight crosses the airspace of a state outside the Schengen area; or c. submission of a flight plan is required by paragraph SERA.4001, part b, subparts 1, 3, 4 and 6, of Regulation (EU) No. 923/2012.

Schengen countries are Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, as well as the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores.

STOL EASA certification for Tecnam P2012

Tecnam has received STOL EASA certification for the P2012.  For steep approaches up to 10°.
Designed specifically for short takeoff and landing operations, the P2012 STOL aircraft is tailored to operate from airfields and airstrips characterized by extremely short runways and extreme operational constraints. The P2012 STOL is the only twin-engine Short Take-Off and Landing aircraft that meets the latest certification changes. It offers a maximum gross weight of 3680 kg with a payload of 1191 kg while maintaining a modern design, a wide and comfortable cabin and 11 seats.

Cabin entry and accommodation is enhanced by a wide single entry door and a central aisle; in addition, there is a private window for each of the 9 individual passengers.The aircraft's multi-mission capabilities allow the STOL configuration to convert from passenger transport to cargo, combi or air ambulance within minutes, to provide health care and relief and serve communities worldwide.
The cockpit is equipped with the latest technology, including as standard an advanced G1000 NXi avionic system, a specially tuned GFC700 autopilot and ADS-B IN/OUT. An active and connected cockpit (Bluetooth, flight stream, Iridium) and a toolbox of modern tools (Wx radar, storm scope, inset map, Synthetic Vision™) are provided to reduce workload and fatigue while increasing mission safety and effectiveness.

With its impressive performance on short fields and now 10-degree approach certification, there is no inaccessible runway for the latest P2012 STOL.

Please keep us informed about the aviation news in your country

If you have any news or things that you would like to share with pilots in other countries - for instance if you organize a Fly-in that might be of interest or if there is news about airports or new rules and regulations in your country that other pilots should know. 

Please don't hesitate to send all your news to me: Gerrit Brand | Netherlands | email: gerritbrand@hotmail.com, telephone or whatsapp + 31 6 50831893