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VP Racing has started development of its own UL100E unleaded aviation fuel, which it plans to put through the FAA's Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI).
The PAFI was established in 2014 as part of the effort to replace 100LL fuel for an alternative with no lead. The testing and validation program to ensure that newly developed unleaded fuels meet safety, performance and material compatibility standards. The FAA tests candidate-unleaded fuels on a selection of materials, engines and aircraft. Currently, no high-octane unleaded replacement fuel has been qualified under PAFI.
VP Racing's fuel has already completed a 350-hour engine durability test required for approval. It will now undergo both engine and flight testing at FAA-designated facilities. The company states that the chemical formulation is what sets UL100E from other unleaded fuels, as it claims that it avoided corrosive or environmentally hazardous additives while still achieving the required octane performance. It further states that its transparent collaboration with regulators and OEMs underscores the importance of trust, data integrity, and long-term thinking in aviation fuel development.
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"Developing UL100E has required an exacting level of precision, both in the VP lab here in Texas and through PAFI's rigorous testing structure," said Mark Walls, director of Randamp;D at VP Racing. "We engineered the fuel's formulation to deliver high octane and thermal stability without relying on lead or other harmful additives. The PAFI process has been challenging, but it's validated the strength of our approach and the robustness of UL100E. It's incredibly rewarding to see this fuel perform consistently across such a wide range of platforms."