Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport. Photo by Mike Fizer.
The AOPA filed a formal complaint with the FAA on Oct. 14 claiming Santa Clara County officials violated federal rules and regulations when they decided to prohibit the sale of 1000LL fuel at Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport (RHV) and San Martin Airport (E16). The AOPA was joined in filing the complaint by pilots and aviation businesses in the area.
In order to receive federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds, an airport must agree to certain regulations. By filing the complaint, known as a Part 16, the AOPA is alleging the airport has not complied with some of the regulations.
“We all want lead out of aviation fuel, and the entire industry, in cooperation with the FAA, is working on a safe and smart transition to an unleaded future, which we believe will be no later than 2030 if not sooner,” AOPA President Mark Baker said. “Unfortunately, Santa Clara County officials have decided to put politics ahead of safety, and we call on the FAA to enforce the rules on the books to ensure pilots have access to the fuel their aircraft require in order to fly safely.”
According to a statement from the AOPA, the filing was made on behalf of transient and tenant users of Reid-Hillview and San Martin airports who are unable to access 100LL for retail purchase or self-fueling.
In the most recently reported 12-month period, FAA records indicate 209,314 general aviation operations at Reid-Hillview Airport and 33,166 operations at San Martin Airport.
With Santa Clara County’s unwillingness to ensure safety for pilots and comply with federal rules, a formal Part 16 complaint became necessary, the AOPA statement concluded.
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