Piper Aircraft has announced the successful completion of a 2100-mile round-trip flight in a Piper Archer flying with 93 octane unleaded automobile gasoline provided by Airworthy AutoGas LLC. The company says the flight was conducted as a demonstration and test of Airworthy’s specially formulated auto gas. It is a continuation of previous joint testing that saw Piper conduct other flight test regimes with the fuel at its Vero Beach headquarters. For the latest flights, Airworthy provided fuel at predetermined stops along the Archer’s route. The Archer flew with a standard Lycoming 0-360, which is approved for 93 octane unleaded fuel. Airworthy plans to distribute its ethanol-free 93 octane unleaded this year.
Airworthy says its fuel is specially formulated as high-purity, low-vapor-pressure premium unleaded automotive gasoline. The company exists as a distributor and blender of petroleum products and says it hopes its patent-pending 93 octane fuel will help promote general aviation by making flying more affordable. The 93 octane fuel does meet the requirements of ASTM D4814 and also complies with Lycoming’s own Engine Service Instruction 1070 S. Ethanol-free gasoline has previously been widely available, but recent changes in automotive formulations have resulted in more blends using ethanol to combat emissions. According Airworthy’s director of business development, Mark Ellery, introduction of the fuel will provide “an alternative for the majority of general aviation aircraft without compromising airworthiness.”
