Mogas

[Donald Walker]

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid ... geid=16578

[gregorp]

At last!!

[howell]

Can we now assume if our aircraft is cleared for mogas we can also use mogas with ethanol in and still remain legal.
Chris Howell.

[G-TERN]

As far as I am aware, NO! I think the CAA's announcement meant that they no longer object to the use of ethanol laced fuel in principle as long as 1/ your aircraft manufacturer, 2/ your engine manufacturer and 3/ your aircraft regulatory body (the LAA) don't mind either.
As far as I am aware the LAA have NOT yet approved the use of ethanol fuel in any of their aircraft. They made an announcement last year effectively saying that the CAA's announcement gave them the green light to go ahead and look into it and conduct tests with a view to possibly approving it in the future. So at least the LAA can now make their minds up without being hampered by CAA policy.
In my personal case, even if the LAA do give it the green light in the future, I do know that Rotax already approves the 912 to use it but I don't yet know about the position of Europa with regards to ethanol.
This is a link to the announcement that the LAA made following the CAA announcement; I'm not aware of any further progress on it from the LAA yet.

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co. ... mogas.html

I apologise if any of the above is wrong, misleading or out of date - it's just how I think the situation is from what I've read over the months!

[howell]

Many Thanks Jonathan that is most helpful.
It can get confusing when the word Mogas is used but the word Ethanol is omitted.
We cannot purchase any Mogas west of Exeter that does not contain at least 5% Ethanol.
Hopefully soon the LAA will make an announcement and clarify the use of Mogas with Ethanol.
Chris Howell.

[Brian Hope]

Jonathan is correct, this notice from CAA does not mean we can start using mogas with ethanol in aircraft cleared for plain old, common or garden but sadly no longer easy to obtain unleaded mogas. I have asked Francis about it and he has been doing some work on the criteria for aircraft to use mogas with 5% ethanol. I hope we might be able to put something in the next magazine that better explains the situation.

[howell]

Many Thanks Brian, I will look forward to next month's magazine.
Your producing a great magazine.
Chris Howell.

[MikeM]

For members in the southwest, the Windmill Garage near Honiton is still selling BP Ultimate (RON 97) which is free from ethanol, albeit at £1.36/litre.