The Centennial Airport (APA) has become the first airport in Colorado to offer unleaded aviation gas. Beginning in May, jetCenters of Colorado began offering Swift 94UL Unleaded Avgas to its customers, with the first drop fueling a 2022 Piper Archer owned by the Aspen Flying Club.
“Today, Centennial Airport is proud to announce that we are the first airport in Colorado to have UL94 unleaded aviation gasoline,” Centennial Airport Executive Director/BEO Mike Fronapfel said. “This milestone couldn’t have been possible without the partnership of our largest fixed base operator, jetCenters of Colorado, our three biggest flight schools, Aspen Flying Club, Flights Inc. and ATP, and feedback from the surrounding communities.”
When the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to create an incentive to bolster the transition to an approved unleaded avgas on March 16, it paved the way for the adoption of the alternative fuel. The airport has agreed to reimburse aircraft owners up to $110 per aircraft based at the Centennial Airport to get a supplemental type certificate, allowing the use of unleaded avgas in the plane. The airport has also agreed to work with FBO to cover the cost difference between 100LL avgas and unleaded avgas.
“jetCenters of Colorado has been working with Centennial Airport and Avfuel over the last several months to support the Airport’s effort in providing unleaded aviation fuel for its stakeholders, resulting in a positive impact to the surrounding communities,” said Tony Buckley, president and CEO of jetCenters of Colorado.
The goal is to have the fuel available by the summer and jetCenters of Colorado will work to secure Swift 94UL Unleaded Avgas, dedicating a tank to the new product and lowering the cost per gallon. This transition comes on the heels of the FAA’s program, Eliminate Aviation Gas Lead Emissions (EAGLE) which has a goal of 2030 for the nationwide transition from 100LL to unleaded fuel. Centennial relied on the help from the community to transition sooner, offering a sustainable alternative to customers flying into or out of Colorado.
“I am proud of how quickly Centennial Airport management, the ACPAA board, and airport partners responded to our communities’ concerns regarding the use of leaded fuel in propeller-driver aircraft,” ACPAA board chair Thad Bagnoto said. “We are proud to be the first airport in Colorado, and one of the first in the nation, to offer unleaded aviation gas.”
Currently, close to 20 percent of eligible aircraft and 80 percent of flight school aircraft at the Centennial Airport have gotten the STCs needed to use the UL94 unleaded gas. The airport is committed to working with fuel suppliers and aircraft owns as research continues to identify and develop an unleaded fuel that can be used in all aircraft, ensuring the transition will be a smooth as possible.
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