I have been risking my luck posting an off topic thread on the canard list regarding alternative fuel and thought I should spread my sins around and pass it on to you folks on this list as well. I am also very interested to here all your thoughts on using this stuff in a rotary. I was doing some research on E-85 an 85% ethanol based fuel substitute being promoted here in the Midwest and sent an email to one of the study groups asking for any info regarding a replacement for 100LL. I will paste their response as it is very interesting.

Denny

Thanks for your inquiry. Yes, there has been a great deal of research done on the viability of replacing 100LL with an ethanol-based aviation fuel. The research has proven that ethanol-based avgas not only is a suitable replacement to 100LL, it is actually a superior fuel. The bulk of this research has been conducted by South Dakota St. University and Baylor University. In fact, several engines and airframes have already received STCs from the FAA to run on ethanol and a few small airports in South Dakota offer an AGE85 (aviation grade ethanol-85 percent) blend. FAA is conducting its own efficacy testing of ethanol blends and ASTM is considering a specification for AGE85.

Additionally, the National Corn Growers Association is in the midst of a study to determine what obstacles stand in the way of mass commercialization of ethanol-based avgas. The study is scheduled for completion in December and will be posted on the NCGA web site.

For more information, go to http://www.age85.org/ or call NCGA at 636-733-9004.

Geoff Cooper
NCGA