NASA Conference Publication 2267 c.1 i Aviation Gasolines and Future Alternatives Proceedings of a workshop held at Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio February 325, 1981 N”s/\.a,: A f 25th Anniversary ‘f d 1958-1983 I! 1) 1/, - .- . ., TECH f.fBfW?Y KAFB, NM 1 llll~lllllllllllmn~llllln~l,’ 00992lJ4 NASA Conference Pzddicatton zm / Aviation Gasolines and Future Alternatives Donald J. Patterson, Editor University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan Proceedings of a workshop held at Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio February 3-5, 1981 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Scientific and Technical Information Branch 1983 CONTENTS Page PREFACE . 1 WORKSHOPSUMMARY John W. Olcott, Chairman of the Workshop and Editor of Business and Commercial Aviation Magazine . 3 SESSION 1 - GENERAL AVIATION INDUSTRY NEEDS AND DIRECTIONS Stanley Green, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Chairman Thomas Smith, Mooney Aircraft, Co-Chairman FAA CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTSFOR FUTURE FUELS, FUEL SYSTEMS, AND POWERPLANTS Thomas C. Horeff, Federal Aviation Administration . 7 AVIATION ENERGY AND THE FUTURE OF THE RECREATIONAL USE OF SPORT AND GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT Paul Poberezny and Harry Zeisloft, Experimental Aircraft Association . 9 INDUSTRY'S ASSESSMENTOF THE NUMBER OF AIRPLANES IN THE GENERAL AVIATION FLEET, ALONG WITH THEIR HOURS FLOWN AND FUEL CONSUMPTION DATA, POWEREDBY WHAT TYPE OF ENGINES, WHEN AND FOR WHAT REASONS, THROUGHTHE YEAR 2000 Thomas J. Smith, Mooney Aircraft . 15 PANEL DISCUSSION: MULTI-FUEL CAPABILITY FOR GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT MODERATOR: Thomas Smith, Mooney Aircraft . 33 PANELISTS: Edward Beisser Phillips Petroleum David Ellis Cessna Aircraft Cesar Gonzalez Cessna Aircraft Al Hundere Alcor Allen Light AVCO Lycoming Robert Mount Curtiss-Wright Paul Poberezny EAA Joseph Rowe General Electric Joseph Schubeck Stage II Development Les Waters Teledyne Continental LIGHTWEIGHT AIRCRAFT ENGINES, THE POTENTIAL AND PROBLEMSFOR USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUELS Donald J. Patterson, University of Michigan . 39 iii Page SESSION 2 - FUEL SUPPLY/DEMAND DISTRIBUTION ISSUES Kurt Strauss, Texaco, Chairman GENERAL AVIATION FUEL QUALITY CONTROL Herbert Poitz, Shell Oil . 45 MANUFACTURINGCOMPARISONS OF AVIATION AND MOTOR GASOLINES Lawrence 0. Meyer, Phillips Petroleum . 51 ASTM AND ITS ROLE IN GENERAL AVIATION FUEL Charles T. Stone, Exxon . 61 FUEL SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION--FIXED BASE OPERATION Lawrence C. Burian, National Air Transportation Association . 63 CRC AND ITS ROLE IN GENERAL AVIATION FUEL Kurt Strauss, Texaco . 69 GENERAL AVIATION FUEL AND ITS DISTRIBUTION TO THE AIRPORT Walter V. Paulhus, Texaco . 71 SESSION 3 - GENERAL AVIATION TECHNOLOGYPROSPECTS Donald J. Patterson, University of Michigan, Chairman THE SPARK-IGNITION AIRCRAFT ENGINE OF THE FUTURE Kenneth J. Stuckas, Teledyne Continental Motors . 75 AIRFRAME AND ENGINE INTEGRATION, AND POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS David R. Ellis, Cessna Aircraft . 89 CURRENT DESIGNS, FUTURE POSSIBILITIES, AND PROGRAMMATICSUGGESTIONS Larry C. Duke, AVCO Lycoming . 99 FUTURE OF ALTERNATE FUELS FOR TURBINE ENGINES Helmut Schelp, Garrett Turbine Engine Company . 107 ADVANCED ROTARY ENGINES Charles Jones, Curtiss-Wright . 123 LIGHTWEIGHT DIESEL AIRCRAFT ENGINES FOR GENERAL AVIATION Steven G. Berenyi, Teledyne Continental Motors . 139 iv Page SESSION 4 - NEAR-TERM AND ONGOING TECHNOLOGYPROGRAMS Harry Johnson, NASA Headquarters, Chairman AN OVERVIEW OF GENERAL AVIATION PROPULSION RESEARCH PROGRAMSAT NASA LEWIS RESEARCHCENTER Edward A. Willis, NASA Lewis Research Center . 149 GENERAL AVIATION TURBINE ENGINE (GATE) OVERVIEW William C. Strack, NASA Lewis Research Center . 161 CURRENTLY PLANNED NASA GENERAL AVIATION NE%' INITIATIVES Harry Johnson, NASA Headquarters . 167 FAA ALTERNATE FUELS PROGRAM Thomas C. Horeff, Federal Aviation Administration . 169 V PREFACE It is a well recognized fact that the vast majority of the world's civil aircraft mare powered by gasoline piston engines of U.S. manufacture. These planes are certified to use only aviation gasoline (avgas) for fuel. In the past several years, avgas has become a distinct problem in such respects as shortages, unavailability, and rapidly rising prices. In view of the unstable world oil supply/demand situation and the continuing price control attempts of OPEC, the aviation gasoline problems can be expected to persist. Simple or short term solutions are not foreseen. In the longer run, however, there are encouraging possibilities in such areas as: improving the fuel economy of conventional gasoline engines; better overall efficiency from expected aerodynamic and structural advances; and the probable emergence of alternative light-aircraft powerplants (e.g., diesels, small turboprops) which can burn less expensive and more readily available fuels. The purpose of this workshop was to explore possible technical developments that may contribute to an overall solution of the light-aircraft fuel and energy problems. The intent was not to disseminate new information, but rather to clarify issues and identify needed actions. Various technical, legal, political , and economic issues were brought forth and useful areas of technical work for future government-sponsored technology programs were identified. In order to cover all aspects of "Aviation Gasolines and Future Alternatives," the invitation list was drawn up with a view toward both expertise in specific subjects and breadth of knowledge and experience across the general aviation field. Participants were encouraged to take an active role both as contributors to their areas of specialization and also to the general discussions. By bringing together representa- tives from government, industry, research, and academic organizations, it was hoped that a greater understanding of the overall aviation fuel situation would emerge. The meeting was organized by Dr. Edward Willis of NASA and chaired by Mr. John W. Olcott, Editor of Business and Commercial Aviation Magazine. The 70 attendees were from NASA; FAA; the major general aviation airframe, engine, and supplier organiza- tions; the oil refining industry; GAMA; NATA; AOPA; EAA; and various research and academic organizations. To help structure the two and one-half day workshop, participants were asked to address four major topics within a time frame of 5 to 20 years , a longer range viewpoint covering the remainder of this century. These topics were: 1. Define the fuel requirements (type/quantity) of the future general aviation fleet. 2. Define the "most likely" and "limiting-case" scenarios for future avgas and other general aviation fuels availabililty, composition, and distribution trends. 3. Identify and rank technologies that would help reconcile supply and demand. 1 4. Recommend the most needed specific programs , and define the proper government role and mode of operation relative to these-programs. The workshop was divided into working sessions , each of which addressed one of the four major topics. The working sessions and their chairman were: Session 1: General Aviation Industry Needs and Directions- - Stanley Green, GAMA Session 2: Fuel Supply/Demand/Distribution Issues - Kurt Strauss, Texaco Session 3: General Aviation Technology Prospects - Donald Patterson, University of Michigan Session 4: Near-Term and Ongoing Technology Programs - Harry Johnson, NASA . To begin the workshop, a number of prepared statements were presented in each of the four areas. These comprised the first day, and half the morning of the second day. For the balance of the morning of the second day, the attendees divided into four smaller working-committee groups corresponding to the topics indicated above. These group meetings were informal and no transcripts of the proceedings were made. However, an informal summary of the discussions was provided to the Workshop Chairman by each of the four working-committee chairmen. The balance of the meeting involved the preparation of an overall summation of the workshop. This summation integrated the prepared statements, the informal summaries of the chairmen of the four working committees, and additional comments from the workshop attendees. This summation was written by Mr. John Olcott, Chairman of the workshop. The present report includes all the prepared statements together with the chairman's summation. Some editing was required to clarify the oral presentations as they were reduced to writing. In editing, every effort was made to preserve the intent of the speaker and the emphasis with which he addressed the subject. WORKSHOPSUMMARY John W. Olcott Chairman of the Workshop Editor of Business and Commercial Aviation Magazine INTRODUCTION After two days of presentations and discussions pertaining to the impact of fuel on the technology of propulsion for general aviation, the attendees of NASA's Technical Workshop on Aviation Gasolines and Future Alternatives, held February 3, 4, and 5, 1981, made several observations , conclusions and recommendations. OBSERVATIONS A workshop on fuels and their impact on the development of general aviation powerplants wa's an appropriate undertaking for NASA. The occasion provided an excellent opportunity to hear and debate the positions of knowledgeable representa- tives from the producers of petroleum products, aircraft and engine manufacturers, aircraft fixed base operators, users of general aviation and members of the research community. In addition to providing NASAwith recommendations for meaningful research pertaining to propulsion, the workshop served a valuable informational function due