Photo: Shutterstock The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released its long-awaited Transition Plan for Unleaded Aviation Gasoline, outlining how the United States intends to phase out leaded aviation fuel and transition the country's piston-engine aircraft fleet to unleaded alternatives by 2030.
The roadmap, announced today, July 30, establishes a phased approach designed to safely introduce unleaded aviation gasoline across the general aviation sector while minimizing disruptions for pilots, airports, and fuel suppliers.
"The transition to unleaded fuel is a positive step forward for the general aviation community and people who live and work near general aviation airports," FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a statement.
"Our move to safely integrate unleaded fuels is a collaborative effort that involves everyone from aircraft manufacturers and fuel suppliers to airports and the pilots in the cockpit."
The plan fulfills requirements outlined in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, which directed the agency to work with industry stakeholders to eliminate leaded aviation gasoline, commonly known as 100LL, by the end of the decade.
Lead remains one of the last major additives still used in aviation fuel, primarily in piston-powered aircraft. The transition is expected to deliver significant environmental and public health benefits, particularly for communities located near general aviation airports.
As part of the initiative, the FAA is currently testing three unleaded fuels at the William J. Hughes Technical Center. The first phase of testing focuses on aircraft performance, safety, and compatibility with existing engines and systems.
The agency said it will update the transition plan once initial testing is completed.
Several unleaded fuels are already moving through certification and approval pathways. These include GAMI's G100UL, Swift Fuels' 100R, and LyondellBasell/VP Racing's UL100, all of which are considered potential replacements for traditional leaded avgas.
The FAA is also encouraging airports to begin introducing unleaded fuel options while continuing to make 100LL available during the transition period.
To avoid supply issues, airports receiving federal funding will be required to continue offering leaded fuel until unleaded alternatives become widely available and accessible nationwide.
A separate strategy is being developed for Alaska, where general aviation plays a critical role in connecting remote communities and where the transition presents unique logistical challenges.
The FAA noted that a draft version of the plan was released earlier this year for public comment, with feedback helping shape the final document. A summary of those comments is expected to be published later in 2026.
With more than 170,000 piston-engine aircraft operating in the United States, the transition represents one of the most significant changes to general aviation in decades.