VERO BEACH, Fla., July 8, 2013 – Piper Aircraft Inc. has completed flight tests of a Piper Archer powered by 93 octane premium unleaded automotive gasoline. Piper worked with Airworthy AutoGas LLC, Phoenix, Ariz., to prove the concept in a test flight regime conducted from the company’s Vero Beach manufacturing campus.
The Piper Archer is powered by a single Lycoming O-360-A4M engine generating 180hp. Fuel capacity of the Archer is 48 U.S. gallons (182 liters). The Lycoming O-360 series engines are four-cylinder, direct-drive, horizontally opposed, air-cooled models, and are approved for use of 93 octane unleaded fuel.
“As we search for more environmentally friendly fuels than 100LL to power piston aircraft, Piper wanted to take the next step with Lycoming and Airworthy AutoGas to operationally prove the 93UL concept under rigid test conditions from Vero Beach,” said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. “Our next operational effort will include cross-country applications, working with Airworthy AutoGas to ensure availability en route.”
“Airworthy AutoGas plans to produce and distribute its high-purity, low-vapor-pressure, ethanol-free, 93 octane, premium unleaded automotive gasoline, beginning in the fall of 2013,” said Airworthy’s Director of Business Development Mark Ellery. “Bringing Airworthy AutoGas to the marketplace provides an alternative for the majority of general aviation aircraft without compromising airworthiness. Our goal is to get pilots flying more for less,” he added.
About Airworthy AutoGas
Airworthy AutoGas, LLC, is a petroleum products blender and distributor dedicated to providing the highest quality fuel, promoting general aviation, and making flying more affordable. Airworthy AutoGas is a patent pending formulation which meets the requirements of ASTM D4814 and Lycoming Engine’s Service Instruction 1070S. Airworthy AutoGas, unlike traditional automotive gasoline, is designed for use in powering spark-ignition internal combustion engines used in aircraft applications.
About Piper Aircraft
Piper Aircraft Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla. The company offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single-engine and twin-engine aircraft. The single-engine M-Class series – the Meridian, Mirage and Matrix – offer businesses and individuals elegant performance and value. The Twin Class Seminole and Seneca V balance proven performance, efficiency and simplicity in twin-engine aircraft. The Trainer Class Archer TX, Arrow, Seneca V and Seminole aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. All Piper airplanes feature advanced Garmin avionics in the cockpit. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
