To
get to this stage, Shell Aviation technologists carried
out an intensive internal laboratory program, including
in-house altitude rig and engine testing. Working
alliances were then formed with aviation engine
manufacturer Lycoming Engines (Lycoming) and the light
aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft Inc. (Piper). As a
result, the formulation was successfully evaluated in
industry laboratory engine (bench) tests by Lycoming and
in a flight test by Piper.
“Lycoming Engines commends Shell on launching its
unleaded Avgas initiative”, states Michael Kraft, Senior
Vice-President and General Manager of Lycoming Engines.
“They engaged Lycoming to test their fuel on our
highest octane demand engine and we can confirm that
it’s remarkably close to Avgas100LL from a performance
perspective. This initiative is a major step in the
right direction for general aviation.”
“Piper Aircraft is pleased to participate with Shell and
Lycoming in this feasibility flight test program,” said
Piper Vice-President of Engineering Jack Mill.
“Recently, we successfully flew an experimental
non-production Piper Saratoga with Shell’s new
formulation for about an hour. We appreciate the
opportunity to work with Shell and Lycoming in this
preliminary investigation of the technologies, which
could in several years lead to flying unleaded fuel in
our production airplanes.”
Shell will now engage the aviation industry, regulators
and authorities, including the US Federal Aviation
Administration, American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) and European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) to achieve approvals for the unleaded Avgas.
Shell expects to also work with other OEMs to continue
the testing and refinement program as the approvals
process progresses.
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