NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna, who also serves as industry co-chair of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative, joined Amy Laboda and Kevin Whelan of EAA Radio for an in-depth discussion on the national effort toward a safe and strategic transition to unleaded avgas. Speaking during AirVenture, Castagna emphasized that the question is not if the transition will happen, but how it will be done—stressing the importance of protecting the piston fleet, maintaining general aviation infrastructure, and ensuring fuel availability through a coordinated national approach. He highlighted that the FAA Reauthorization Act preserves access to 100LL at federally obligated airports through 2030, framing that year as a milestone rather than a fixed deadline.
AirVenture attendees received an update on the three unleaded fuel candidates—GAMI, Swift, and LyondellBasell/VP Racing—currently undergoing evaluation through either the FAA’s STC process or the federally funded PAFI testing program. Progress is expected in 2026–2027, with fleetwide authorization and supply chain ramp-up efforts tailored to regional needs, particularly in areas like Alaska. To prepare for the transition, Castagna urged pilots to stay informed through FlyEagle.org and fuel producer websites. He also reaffirmed NATA’s commitment to ASTM-certified fuels and emphasized the need for continued education across the aviation community to safely adapt to the coming changes.