Swift fuels
-A better fuel?- 9-15-17
~For years, many pilots have wondered why leaded fuel is still around. With it comes a debate on how many engines are still running that actually need leaded fuel. Well, this blog is not setting out to debate the matter, however recent changes coming to the GA market are worth noting.
Swift Fuels LLC has brought 2 very tempting new fuels to the market which they claim will replace 100LL completely. I won't speak for them on all the data, but I will say that if what they claim can be demonstrated in real life, then we may actually see the end of 100LL very soon. Swift offers both a 94 and 102 octane fuel that is unleaded, non ethanol, and packs a bigger punch than 100LL can. This in turn means better fuel economy, power, and range. Due to the laundry list of problems associated with leaded fuels, I have decided to start running this fuel exclusively. The availability is growing monthly and more airports are jumping on the bandwagon. I've been told that from a business perspective, this fuel grosses more per gallon than 100LL does due to its larger margins and lower pricing, both for retailers and customers alike. At the time of this article, I can buy Swift 94 for $3.75 per gallon at the same airport where 100LL is running $4.25 (thanks to hurricane Harvey). I am also told that the Swift 102 will be priced competitively with 100LL when it is released in 2018. So there you have it, a cleaner burning, higher energy fuel that does away with all the problems associated with lead, backed by a company that is aggressively growing and offering retailers a profit margin worth investing in. Sounds like a winner to me. I look forward to giving a full report on my personal experience with this fuel over the next several months. Stay tuned...
Reference: https://swiftfuels.com/
UPDATE: 3/2/2018
~Over the last 6 months now, I've been working hard to coordinate the introduction of Swift Fuels to the Lexington Blue Grass airport (LEX). The airport management and I have tried to reach out to Swift fuels to inquire on bringing the fuel to the GA market here that is growing exponentially. Brand new hangars, maintenance facility and FBO are being built as we speak, and we've tried to get Swift on board to install fuel tanks and sell us fuel. I've even sent multiple emails and called several times to get a personal order of fuel delivered and unfortuneltey the response has been, "We don't see this as priority." I'm not sure what's going on over at Swift, but to turn down a Class C airport on fuel sales in unheard of. My only thought is that Shell's new 100LL replacement is coming soon and may put Swift out of business. With all that said, I can't support a company that has such poor customer service and lack of will to grow. So then, as things develop with Shell, I'll be keeping you all up to date!
~For years, many pilots have wondered why leaded fuel is still around. With it comes a debate on how many engines are still running that actually need leaded fuel. Well, this blog is not setting out to debate the matter, however recent changes coming to the GA market are worth noting.
Swift Fuels LLC has brought 2 very tempting new fuels to the market which they claim will replace 100LL completely. I won't speak for them on all the data, but I will say that if what they claim can be demonstrated in real life, then we may actually see the end of 100LL very soon. Swift offers both a 94 and 102 octane fuel that is unleaded, non ethanol, and packs a bigger punch than 100LL can. This in turn means better fuel economy, power, and range. Due to the laundry list of problems associated with leaded fuels, I have decided to start running this fuel exclusively. The availability is growing monthly and more airports are jumping on the bandwagon. I've been told that from a business perspective, this fuel grosses more per gallon than 100LL does due to its larger margins and lower pricing, both for retailers and customers alike. At the time of this article, I can buy Swift 94 for $3.75 per gallon at the same airport where 100LL is running $4.25 (thanks to hurricane Harvey). I am also told that the Swift 102 will be priced competitively with 100LL when it is released in 2018. So there you have it, a cleaner burning, higher energy fuel that does away with all the problems associated with lead, backed by a company that is aggressively growing and offering retailers a profit margin worth investing in. Sounds like a winner to me. I look forward to giving a full report on my personal experience with this fuel over the next several months. Stay tuned...
Reference: https://swiftfuels.com/
UPDATE: 3/2/2018
~Over the last 6 months now, I've been working hard to coordinate the introduction of Swift Fuels to the Lexington Blue Grass airport (LEX). The airport management and I have tried to reach out to Swift fuels to inquire on bringing the fuel to the GA market here that is growing exponentially. Brand new hangars, maintenance facility and FBO are being built as we speak, and we've tried to get Swift on board to install fuel tanks and sell us fuel. I've even sent multiple emails and called several times to get a personal order of fuel delivered and unfortuneltey the response has been, "We don't see this as priority." I'm not sure what's going on over at Swift, but to turn down a Class C airport on fuel sales in unheard of. My only thought is that Shell's new 100LL replacement is coming soon and may put Swift out of business. With all that said, I can't support a company that has such poor customer service and lack of will to grow. So then, as things develop with Shell, I'll be keeping you all up to date!