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The National Air Transportation Association announced on Tuesday that its President, Curt Castagna, was stepping in as the co-chair of the EAGLE Initiative. Castagna will be succeeding AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker, who served as the co-chair since the program began in February 2022. This shift in leadership follows the EPA's final determination that lead emissions from aircraft are endangering public health.
The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions Initiative was launched in 2022, comprised of members of the aviation industry, government leaders and interested parties working toward lead-free aviation fuels for piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030. On Oct. 18 the EPA released its final determination that the lead emissions from aircraft were causing or contributing to air pollution that may endanger public health and welfare under the Clean Air Act. A coalition of aviation groups and leaders gave an immediate response, stating that the industry was working hard and continuing to collaborate with the government and groups like the EPA to safely eliminate lead from gas by the end of 2030 or sooner. While the aviation industry is in agreement with the initiative and plans to eliminate lead from avgas, it feels strongly that the transition requires a coordinated effort and a premature removal of leaded fuel would compromise safety.RELATED STORY:EPA determines leaded fuel endangers public health, aviation coalition responds
"NATA and its members continue to prioritize a safe and efficient transition to unleaded aviation fuel, and I am humbled to work with the FAA and our industry partners in my new role as we progress towards the eventual distribution of new fuels to airports and FBOs," Castagna said. "At this crucial juncture in the future of the general aviation industry, we appreciate and are most grateful for Mark Baker's work as co-chair, his leadership on behalf of his members and the industry, and his efforts to spread awareness of EAGLE and its mission."
The program brings aviation industry group leaders like Baker and Castagna, together with U.S. government officials to work together on eliminating leaded fuels without compromising safety or economic health. Baker was co-chair of the program with Lirio Liu of the FAA, with other members including NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, EAA President and CEO Jack Pelton, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers, HAI President and CEO James Viola and GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. The program consists of four pillars; supply chain infrastructure and deployment; research development and innovation; unleaded fuel evaluation and authorization; and regulation, policy and programmatic activities.
With the latest EPA findings, a multi-year multi-step process will begin, involving the FAA and EPA.
"We expected this finding for some time now," AOPA President Mark Baker said. "In essence, it mirrors the GA industry's commitment to get lead out of avgas by 2030, if not sooner. However, it is as important to note what the finding does not mean—it does not mean that 100LL is going away before we have viable alternatives. It also does not mean that airports should stop offering 100LL, as it would adversely impact safety and hinder commerce. This action does not cause aircraft to be grounded or become prohibited from using 100LL."
Despite the findings, the aviation industry will remain unchanged for now. The industry is continuing to work toward the 2030 deadline and unleaded fuel alternatives are being implemented in airports across the country. Through the EAGLE Initiative, the FAA has authorized the fleet-wide use of G100UL, a 100 Octane unleaded fuel, which can be widely used by piston-engine aircraft. The agency is devoting resources and has doubled its funding in this area to $10 million during the fiscal year. Additionally, the Airport Cooperative Research Program within the Transportation Research Board is developing a project to collect information and develop best practices for the smooth transition to unleaded fuel for the nearly 200,000 piston aircraft nationwide, with a limited number of general aviation airports participating.
The aviation industry is working to become more sustainable and reduce the impact on the environment. The Business Aviation industry is developing sustainable alternative fuels to cut down on emissions from jet aircraft and the GA industry is removing lead from its fuel. Castagna will serve as the second industry co-chair and continue with the mission the program is founded upon, reducing aviation's impact on the environment and removing lead from fuel.