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The Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) announced Wednesday that the airport would be accelerating the timeline to transition to unleaded fuel, three years ahead of the FAA deadline. The RMMA's goal is to be the first airport in Colorado to eliminate leaded fuels.
RMMA is one of the fastest-growing airports in the region and is in the process of transitioning to UL94 unleaded avgas. The UL94 fuel is compatible with two-thirds of the RMMA fleet. The airport has purchased a new fuel truck and tank for the transport and storage of unleaded fuel. Jefferson County said the transition is expected to be completed by 2024.
"The reality is, everybody in the industry wants to switch over," RMMA director Paul Anslow said to CBS Colorado. "We want to be good stewards and we want to be good neighbors. Nobody is saying we want to stick with leaded fuel... everybody wants to switch over."
The current infrastructure for UL94 is compatible with 100UL, which is unleaded avgas for all piston aircraft engines and was approved by the FAA at the end of 2022. As the availability of alternative fuel becomes more widespread, the airport will be proactive in fully transitioning to 100UL unleaded gas in the next two to three years. The transition is expected to be completed before the FAA's goal of full elimination of leaded avgas by 2030.
"This transition is about balance and innovation," said Jefferson County Commissioner Tracy Kraft-Tharp. "Responsible airport development brings jobs and opportunity to the county's residents and businesses while protecting the quality of life of our citizens."
"This is a huge, proactive step by RMMA and Jefferson County to help the general aviation industry make the switch to fully unleaded fuel," said Adrian Nye, President of the Colorado Pilots Association in a statement to CBS. "Colorado's general aviation pilots and community are proud to be helping lead this effort nationwide, and look forward to a safe, responsible transition over the next few years."RELATED STORIES:From 100LL to G100UL: What comes next for avgas and why today is historic
Centennial Airport becomes first in Colorado to offer unleaded avgasWhat's next for G100UL and when might we really get the lead out of aviation?RMMA was founded in 1960 and is owned and operated by Jefferson County in Colorado. The airport serves as a general reliever for the Denver International Airport (DEN) and is the third busiest in the state. RMMA has over 400 aircraft, three flight schools and 50 businesses. It serves as an economic driver in the region and the yearly economic impact is $731 million, according to a 2020 economic impact report from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
"Our team's commitment to innovative solutions and community collaboration is why the airport's full transition will be well in advance of the FAA deadline," Anslow said. "The aviation industry is working to scale production of 100UL for the larger market, and we feel confident that availability will rapidly increase while the price decreases. Our goal is to be the first airport in the state that fully transitions to unleaded fuel."