EAA recently joined other general aviation associations in letters sent to the California Senate Transportation Committee opposing two bills. SB 1193 Airports: Leaded Aviation Gasoline, would incrementally prohibit the sale or distribution of leaded avgas in California beginning January 1, 2026, for airports located in or adjacent to disadvantaged communities and/or a city with a population of at least 700,000 people. The bill has the ban culminating in a final prohibition across the state that would take effect on January 1, 2030. SB 1505 Aircraft Registration Fees would establish a state aircraft initial and annual registration renewal system. The registration fee would be set by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and sufficient to cover the program’s administration and “include an amount to be used to combat the detrimental environmental impacts of aircraft emissions.”
Six associations signed a letter opposing SB 1193, including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), California Pilots Association (CPA), EAA, National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and Vertical Aviation International (VAI). The second letter, opposing SB 1505 included AOPA, CPA, EAA, and VAI.
In the letters, the associations not only underscored the ongoing efforts and industry commitment to transitioning to unleaded fuels by 2030 or sooner in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative, but also highlighted the significant strides being made by fuel developers. These include General Aviation Modifications, Inc. (GAMI), LyondellBasell Industries/VP Racing, and Swift Fuels, LLC, who are making promising advancements in this crucial transition.
The letters also discussed key factors in the transition, including airport infrastructure, commercial availability, and supply of unleaded fuels as import considerations when discussing a safe and smart industry-wide transition.
