ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, April 24, 2010--It is now evident that our Congressional Delegation needs to seek a waiver from the impending ban of 100 Low Lead Aviation fuel.
"This is not just going to affect rural Alaska, it will affect the whole state," said John Hopson, Jr. of Wainwright, AK.
John and other North Slope villagers depend on aircraft to fly from village to village in Cessna 185, 206 and 207 aircraft which have high compression four cycle engines that depend on 100 Low Lead fuel to achieve horsepower, to cool and lubricate efficiently.
While the rest of the country and the aviation groups that we pay yearly fees to represent us are scrambling to find "alternative" fuels for the most efficient engines developed to date, we here in Alaska will need a waiver to allow us to continue to use the fuel in aircraft engines that produce more than 180 horsepower.
The 180 horsepower is the dividing line for aircraft engines who have higher compression to develop horsepower, according to aircraft engine manufacturers like Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM), Textron (AVCO Lycoming) etc.
While we understand those in the industry are making an effort it appears as if there will be too short a period now that the EPA NPRM timeline has been moved forward.
The Alaska Congressional delegation, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, Mark Begich D-AK, and Congressman Don Young R-AK need to work together to ensure that a waiver is issued for Alaskan Aircraft, or better, to kill this effort by using logic.
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Paul Mills said...
Those of us in the GA community have heard rumors of the elimination of leaded fuels over the past two decades.
Futurists have glowingly filled our imaginations with perpetual motion machinery, and marvelous modern developments ushering in the co-existence of man and nature unified in a bond of mutual respect and cooperation.
As a young boy, I can recall predictions of what the world would be like in that distant time of the year 2000 A.D.,and the turn into a new century.
Unquestionably, mankind has progressed, however, it is humoring to see how far we stand from some of those predictions.
I'm sure futurists in the 1950's looked at advancement and opportunities awaiting us from a purely functional prospective.
They, in all likelihood, had little perception into influencing factors that could propel, prohibit or forestall man's progress: enter the special interest group.
This has,indeed, become one of modern man's greatest achievements, where a relatively small and concentrated group of individuals are able to voice their opinion, obtain support through statistics, gather endorsements from noted scientists and academicians: and CONTROL. Control people, control economies, livelihoods, prosperity, and personal environment.
While the majority of people let it all happen, and suffer the consequences, later.
I question the wisdom taken by the "Friends of the Earth" special interest group?
We know that at this given time there are no viable substitutes for lead in AvGas.
There are no viable alternatives to replace AvGas.
As a matter of fact, there is no delivery system in existence that can provide the volume we will need to replace Avgas. And it is extremely unlikely there will be an alternative available by the 2015~2016 proposed cancellation of AvGas production.
The people of Alaska will suffer. Villages will become ghost towns, and Alaskans will be forced to concentrate and adapt to city life in the state. Village life will be lost.
So, what about the "carbon footprint" of AvGas.
What does it account for?
Is it significant?
Is it creating irreparable harm?
What is the proof to back any claims?
Is it wise to set a date for it's elimination with no alternatives available?
We all what to be good stewards of the earth, however, we have been waving the banner of conservation since the days of Teddy Roosevelt, and how much progress have we made?
Progress is people working together to arrive at viable solutions serving for the betterment of all men without loss of freedom and opportunity for all!
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