Unleaded Avgas Materials Testing
By Michael Luvara
By Michael Luvara
Welcome! My name is Michael Luvara. I'm a pilot and aviation enthusiast based at Reid Hillview Airport (KRHV) San Jose, CA and in 2024, I found myself in a unique (and unexpected) position to perform materials compatibility testing of unleaded avgas fuels since our airport had illegally banned 100LL and users were forced to seek fuel elsewhere or wait out an unleaded replacement. Because I might have to seek out a field approval to utilize one of the new fuels, and individuals who were using that fuel were reporting some issues, I started testing in an attempt to look at impacts to my aircraft and recreate their stated issues. This has let to a series of videos on my testing. I have created this page to summarize the presentations and data that I have compiled over the past few years. If I have anything of interest to share in the future, I will try to link it here. Below is a table of contents which will link you to the respective sections.
Note: I have performed all this testing at my own direction and expense. I have no financial interest or agreements for incentives in this testing endeavor.
Video 1
Paint and O Rings
Video 2
More paint and discoveries
Video 3
More affected aircraft
Part 4
Seals and gaskets
Video 5
O Rings and aircraft issues
Video 6
New aircraft and look at additional testing
Video 7
A First Look at Swift's 100R
Video 8
Hoses and Bladders Part I
Video 9
Hoses and Bladders Part II
Video 10
VP/Lyondell's UL100E
+ Cavity tape
The following are resources to help you better understand the Unleaded Avgas Transition
Fuels
Resources
Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions Initiative (Eagle)
FAA Special Airworthiness Bulletin (SAIB) (Reporting user experiences with unleaded fuels)
PAFI Fuel Development & Testing