In January 2026 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a draft transition plan to unleaded aviation gasoline for public comment.  The comment period ends March 13, 2026.

Currently, aviation gasoline (AvGas) is the only transportation fuel in the United States that contains TetraEthyl Lead (TEL), a lead-based additive that has been added to AvGas since 1921 to boost octane ratings and prevent engine damage and knocking at higher power settings. According to the FAA as of Fall 2025, 100-octane low lead (100LL) is the most used AvGas for spark ignition piston-powered aircraft. While many piston-engine aircraft designs are best suited for 100LL, due to evolving market factors and public health considerations the FAA initiated transition efforts from 100LL to unleaded aviation fuels.

The 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act (the Act) Section 827 directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue to partner with industry and other Federal government stakeholders in carrying out the mission of the industry-government initiative, Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE), and take such actions as may be necessary to facilitate:

• safe elimination of the use of leaded aviation fuels by piston-engine aircraft in the United States by the end of 2030 (end of 2032 for Alaska) without adversely impacting the safe and efficient operation of the impacted, general aviation (GA) fleet; 
• approval of the use of unleaded alternatives to leaded aviation gasoline for use in all piston-engine aircraft types and piston-engine models;
• implementation of the requirements relating to the continued availability of aviation gasoline; 
• efforts to make unleaded aviation gasoline widely available for purchase and use at airports in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS); 

• development of a Transition Plan to Unleaded Aviation Gasoline (Transition Plan)

The FAA’s stated goal in providing transition plan is to comply with the Act and provide a nationwide plan to support a safe and orderly transition to unleaded fuels. This plan is provided with an understanding that many of the factors that affect the ultimate transition are market driven. The decisions made by private individuals and companies could have a significant influence on the ultimate transition. The FAA also acknowledges that the process of the transition will continue to evolve as 2030 approaches, more information becomes available, and therefore may require an update to the Transition Plan at a later date.

We have provided a step-by-step guide below if you would like to review the transition plan and provide public comment to the FAA.

Step-by-Step Submission Guide:

1. Go to the FAA's Aviation Safety Draft Documents page.
2. Scroll down under "Air Certification Service (AIR) Draft Documents" click on "Publications" to find under "Draft Document" the "Draft FAA Transition Plan to Unleaded Aviation Gasoline" .
3. Download the Matrix: Download the accompanying "Comment Matrix".
4. Fill Out Your Comments: Enter your feedback directly into the matrix.
5. Email Your Submission: Send the completed matrix to  9-AVS-AIR670-AVGAS@faa.gov before the March 13, 2026 deadline. 

For additional information, please contact:

Paul Wrzesinski, PhD.

Senior Technical Specialist, Aviation Fuels

Telephone (M): 817-201-6726

Email: Paul.J.Wrzesinski@faa.gov

On a side note, we are excited to welcome back representatives from the FAA-ADO to the 2026 OAA Annual Conference in April.  The ADO staff to Be sure to get your registration and hotel reservation in as soon as possible to join us at the conference in April!