That's just terrible. I think AOPA and EAA's lobby wasn't as
experienced or ramped up when the stupid ethanol rule went in at
California at what, 7 years ago?

Washington state has passed an ethanol law last year. Thanks for the
AOPA lobby the final version of the law had a few minor but very
important changes: it exempted aircraft fuel from ethanol blending
(which is common in many states), and more importantly, it changed a
per-gallon blending requirement to a total volume requirement for each
oil supplier. Basically, instead of requiring each gallon of gasoline
contain 2% ethanol, it requires 2% of total gasoline sale by each oil
company throughout the state to be pure ethanol on a quarterly basis.
Given ethanol has to be blended at a terminal facility (thank goodness
for its pipeline corroding property!!!), this gives the oil company a
lot of freedom to sell ethanol free gasoline, as long as they blend
some of their gasoline sale with higher than 2% ethanol to meet the
quota.

The effect of that law is yet to be seen because it won't take effect
until 2007. However I think the way the law is written, bulk fuel
purchaser (such as FBO and flight school) will continue to be able to
buy ethanol free gasoline easily. On the street pump the oil company
might sell their premium gas ethanol free as a selling point, because
the law doesn't require ethanol in every gallon of gas.


J. Severyn wrote:
You are fortunate that alcohol-free autogas is available. In our area of
the US (SF Bay area), all autofuel now has alky, making my autogas STC
useless. Believe me I would love to use unleaded autogas. I did so for
over 1500 hours and the engine was never cleaner internally. The oil stayed
cleaner looking for many hours. My plugs were nearly spotless when pulled
for inspection and regapping. I'd even pay more for autogas, if I could get
it without alcohol.

John Severyn
@LVK

"M" wrote in message
oups.com...
The owner of a flight school at my airport (PAE) told me today that
he'll soon install a 1500 gallon fuel tank for 91 octane autofuel, to
supply fuel for his STC'ed cherokees and the Stingsport LSA on his
flightline (he's a dealer for Stingsport LSA). What a concept! He can
save a whole bunch on fuel, offering a better wet rental rate, and I'll
have another on-airport autofuel supplier in this area (the other is at
the self serve pump at AWO).

In case people didn't notice, the price gap between avgas and autogas
is no longer $1/gallon. It has grown to something more like
$1.30/gallon.