Scientists developing alternative fuels have beaten the oil industry in the
race to create lead-free aviation fuel for small private aircraft. The new fuel
is 87 per cent ethanol and was developed at the National Alternative Fuels
Laboratory at the University of North Dakota. It has been certified by the US
Federal Aviation Administration for use in two popular Cessna aircraft and is
the first lead-free fuel to pass stringent safety tests, with high enough octane
levels to prevent engine-damaging knocking in small propeller-driving engines.
Certification tests are now in progress for several other planes.
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