A very big deal -- FAA Approves G100UL for ALL GA piston spark-ignition aircraft

[Rich]

Rich- I don't see a request for "registration number". It asks for airframe serial number and tail number. Here's the site I'm looking at -- https://stc.g100ul.com/aircraft/ Bernie

Registration number is tail number. Response from GAMI:

We're aware of a bug in the registration number entry field that is affecting certain registrations. The developers are aware and I hope to have a resolution soon. We apologize for the inconvenience.

[MarkA]

A youtube.com link to George Braly's talk at Sun 'n Fun 2023 on the roll out status of G100UL is included below:

[Rich]

Tried again yesterday to get the STC and was unable to enter my registration number. I again sent the complaint to GAMI. Reply this morning:

This is a bug in the current software version. The developers have fixed it and this new fixed version should be going live Wednesday midday. Apologies for the inconvenience.


On the presentation: Very good at addressing the misinformation. I was surprised that no one raised the "valves need lead" red herring. I hear this all the time.

[MarkA]

The G100UL roll out plans in the works (around the 32 minute point in the video) are also interesting. Braly indicated the answer to the question of “When G100UL is going to be at my airport?” is that at this point G100UL can be available “As soon as the supplier of 100LL to your airport FBO agrees to pay for it - - ‘FOB’ and loaded into rail cars – in Houston.”

Basically, a large producer in Houston (who previously made 100LL) is set up now to produce the G100UL in volume. All the material needed (including GAMI’s octane enhancer) is available to start producing now. They’re currently working on a plan to roll out G100UL at a number of airports in California in the next few months, the stretch goal that it be available at all CA airports by the end of 2023.

At around the 52:20-minute mark, Braly also indicates some significant issues were reported for the Phillips and Lyondell 100 UL fuels (manganese deposits) and Swift's 100 UL fuel (iron deposits) in the last EAGLE program review meeting on March 21, 2023. These issues very likely will delay their availability.

My sense is that it' possible GAMI's G100UL may end up being the only near-term 100 octane unleaded option.

[Rich]

So GAMI fixed the registration number problem and I purchased the STCs - yes, two of them. $25 for the aircraft STC plus $325 for the engine STC. Some pertinent details:

The engine STC specifies the N-number, engine type and engine serial number. There is a placard to be placed on the engine itself. You need to be careful how this works of the engine is replaced with a new engine or an overhaul somehow loses the placard or causes the serial number to change.

As with all STC's they need to be signed off. And they are pre-checked as needing IA signoff. I haven't had this conversation with my usual IA. It'll be interesting to see how this goes with the (admittedly likable) old coot.

[MarkA]

I gave GAMI a call and they confirmed that you as the owner can actually sign and mail in the 337 form. No need for an IA signoff.

[blsewardjr]

So I learned at Oshkosh why GAMI is not considered the universal solution. The issue is that GAMI uses the STC process, which allegedly is not available to experimental aircraft, particularly warbirds. According to GAMI there are ways around that, but so far no progress bridging the gap. Possibly a Not Invented Here issue.