Question UL94

Eric-

Naples Aviation is charging $9.89 per gallon for transient and $5.28 per gallon for UL94 for those of us that are based at the airport and have lease at the airport.

Hi Steve- Thank you for your reply. I want to run by some feedback that I received from the shop that is doing my overhaul. The owner who I like and trust informed me that if I burn UL94 I will void the warranty on my new Millennium cylinders. I was unaware of that fact and didn't think to ask that question-frankly I did not think UL 94 would be available this fast and I probably would not have inquired before choosing Millennium vs. Lycoming. I could probably just burn 100LL for the first year (I think they have a 1 year warranty) and then switch to UL94, except that I was told that my engine relies on some of the lead in a small amount of fuel that is uncombusted and passes around the exhaust valve and lubricates the valves. He indicated that I should stick with 100LL. This surprised me -why would the STC be available on my O-540-J3A5D engine if the valves need lead. Maybe this is unique to the Millennium cylinders?

I would appreciate your additional input on this.

Charlie

Hi Charlie;
Lucky you. I wish it was available at my airport. I did a flight test article and had 94UL in one of my fuel tanks and 100LL in the other. I also have a pretty sophisticated engine monitor--Electronics International CGR-30P--to check for any changes in EGT temperatures when I switched from 100LL to 94UL.
I flew a couple of different flight profiles to see if a full throttle climb, or leaning to peak made any difference in the numbers. I didn't see one iota of variance in the EGT numbers when I switched from one fuel to the other.

Your Dakota with that engine is eligible for the STC. Go to this link to buy it:https://www.swiftfuelsavgas.com/stc/Piper/PA-28-236/any/any/any.

Here is the link to my article on 94UL in the Piper Flyer magazine:
www.piperflyer.com/maintenance-technical...fuel.html?jaredirect

An article on my 94UL test was also printed in the EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Here's the link:
file:///C:/Users/Steve%20Ells/OneDrive/Documents/Ells%20Aviation%20LLC/EAAPDFs/UL94Fuel.pdf  

If I were you I would buy the STC and if you're able always fuel with 94UL if it's available. 

Charlie,

I am assuming the UL94 you refer to is the Swift fuel. Both your Dakota (the PA-28-235 or PA-28-236, NOT the PA-28-201T) and my PA-23-150 can use UL94. Swift will sell you an STC for the fuel for $103. I am getting this info from the Swift Fuels site: www.swiftfuelsavgas.com/

They have info on the site to get the STC.

I am very interested in what they are charging per gallon. Please let us know. I hope to use 100UL or UL94 soon too.

Eric

Steve-

UL94 just became available at my airport.  Do I need to get an STC to use it- how do I get certified to use this fuel in my Piper Dakota with an O540J3A5D?

Thank you-

Charlie