Ethanol
Run the ethanol test on all the gas you buy.
DO NOT burn fuel with ethanol in your airplane. Revert to 100LL if ethanol free gasoline cannot be found.
Gasoline blended with ethanol can be corrosive and damaging to aircraft fuel systems. Range is less with ethanol blended gasoline. It has an affinity for water and can pull moisture from inlet air on humid days to an extent which has lead to engine malfunctions. Allowing it to sit for extended periods of time has resulted in the need to replace carburetors, hoses and gaskets. It has also been reported to clean the interior of fuel tanks, leaving the accumulated sludge in the screen. If you cannot find gasoline that you are certain is ethanol free then you must revert to using avgas.
It has become increasingly difficult for many pilots in the US to obtain ethanol free gasoline. In some areas of the country it is impossible while in others it is not. This is primarily due to Federal requirements now hard coded into EPA regulations which require ever increasing quantities of ethanol to be blended into the nations gasoline supply. Oil companies are required to do it or they face hefty fines. Pilots must be vigilant when purchasing fuel to make certain that it is conventional, non ethanol gasoline. Be certain, before ordering an STC, that you are able to purchase conventional, non-ethanol gasoline.
Marathon Oil Company is marketing a 90 octane unleaded non-ethanol gasoline as a recreational fuel for boats. This fuel is perfectly suited for use with 87 octane auto fuel STC's. In some locations it is one octane point higher, 91 octane. 91 octane is suitable for use with all auto fuel STC's.
Marathon ethanol free 90 or 91 octane may be available at the following bulk product terminals:
* Ft Lauderdale-Eisenhower
* Ft Lauderdale-Spangler
* River Rouge, MI
* Detroit, MI
* Romulus, MI
* Doraville, GA
* Powder Springs, GA
Pilots living near those areas of FL, MI or GA should contact the terminals to find out where this "Recreational Fuel" is being distributed since not all Marathon stations are carrying it.
Be advised that not all gasoline service station pumps are labeled as to ethanol content. The ethanol industry considers pump labeling to be "discriminatory" and lobbied successfully for elimination of Federal pump labeling laws at least in regard to ethanol content. Hence today pumps are labeled as to ethanol content only if state law continues to require it.
You may click here for instructions on how to make an inexpensive reusuable alcohol tester.
Ethanol Free Coalition - Demand Ethanol Free Premium Unleaded Gasoline
Class Action Lawsuit over Ethanol
Obama on Ethanol BEFORE the election.
EPA Direct Final Rule to Repeal the Reformulated Gasoline Program's Oxygenate Mandate....etc, etc.
Mexicans Stage Tortilla Protest
Across Globe, Empty Bellies Bring Rising Anger
Studies call Biofuels a greenhouse threat
Cato Institute - Ethanol as Placebo