I see that GAMI has received FAA approval for 611 more engines added to their Approved Model List (AML) to burn 100UL avgas. My Maule MX-7-180's Lycoming O-360-C1F is not on the list. I did a search for future plans to add more engines to the AML but came up empty. GAMI's website doesn't mention it. Does anyone know if more Lycoming engine models will be added? Also, I understand that the STC involves matching engine models and airframes. What's the plan for future additions to the AML in this regard?
@Andrew Meranda
I just received the latest ePilot and the good news is that your M7-180 and my M5-235 will be approved for the GAMI lead free 100 octane.
The bad news is the GAMI folks state that they expect the price to be about what Europeans pay. I did a quick look up for European pricing and the latest numbers were for June 2022. After converting from Liters to Gallons and from EU$ to US$ it looks as if the GAMI 100 octane will cost about $12.80/gal. Which is about $100/hr for your 180hp and $150 for my 235hp.
I don't know about you, but I am going to have to give a very hard look at the affordability of aircraft ownership at these prices.
TD
@Thomas Donnelly
We will just have to wait and see what the price turns out to be. It will be a while before 100UL is available in my vicinity but it's possible that I will land somewhere that has it. I plan to buy the STC from GAMI once their website is up. The most feasible way of distributing it will likely be by fuel truck. Most FBOs can't afford to put in separate tanks and pumps for it and I think they will be cautious at first to make sure they can sell 100UL.
@Andrew Meranda
I just bought the GAMI G100UL STC for my 1986 Maule MX-7-180 with Lycoming O-360-C1F engine. Total cost including shipping was $390. I downloaded the documents but the placards will come in the mail. Now the fun begins to try to find G100UL but at least I'm ready for it. AVFUEL is saying that the price will be 60 or 70 cents more per gallon than 100LL but it depends on sales volume. I'm sure that most FBOs will obtain G100UL by contracting for fuel trucks. It's really expensive to build dedicated fuel tanks and pumps on airport grounds. The FAA could help with this by providing money from the airport improvement fund.
@Andrew Meranda:
I'm sure that most FBOs will obtain G100UL by contracting for fuel trucks. It's really expensive to build dedicated fuel tanks and pumps on airport grounds. The FAA could help with this by providing money from the airport improvement fund.
I doubt it. I suspect FBO's will simply eliminate 100LL and put the 100UL in the tanks/trucks they were using for 100LL. They don't have the capital to invest in additional infrastructure just for 100UL especially since 100LL will go away soon after 100UL arrives. The elimination of 100LL when 100UL becomes available has always been the plan.
Does this also apply to a Lycoming O-540J1A5D ?
Thanx
@Thomas Donnelly
The FAA plan has always been a drop-in replacement with no modifications to the aircraft for all aircraft requiring 100 octane or less. The Swift Fuels 94UL STC for the originally-91/96 Lycoming O-360-A4K in my Tiger required only new placards for the fuel tanks, a logbook entry, and a 337 signed by an IA. Per the FAA's stated position, I'm assuming the GAMI UL STC will be the same.
As for your particular engine, again per the FAA's position, as long as its type certificate requires only 100 octane or less, the GAMI 100UL should apply.