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Why is Avgas so expensive in California?

Discussion in 'Licensing & Education' started by DieselDriver, Nov 3, 2012.

  1. DieselDriver

    DieselDriver New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2012
    Messages:
    22
    The answer, in part, is so the FBO's can hire lawyers to defend themselves against a lawsuit brought by an environmental group.

    http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...012-11-01/avgas-issues-will-take-time-resolve



    This may seem an unusual place to post about a non-jet issue, but the fact remains that many Jet airplane Owners will start with a piston-powered aircraft before they move up to either a turboprop or jet airplane. Having to pay an extra 25 cents per gallon so the business selling you your fuel can defend themselves against a lawsuit is an extraordinary expense if you have a piston-powered twin that will burn 40-50 gallons per hour in cruise. Also, all pilots begin flight training in piston powered aircraft and build experience in smaller aircraft before they can move up to turbine powered airplanes. This places yet another financial burden upon the up-and-coming professional pilots.

    What makes it worse is the fact that this is not the proper venue for such a lawsuit. Aviation gasoline is necessary for the purpose of interstate commerce, which means that Federal Law should supersede California's State Law. However, the attorneys have already stated they do not want to go to trial; They simply want to line their pockets to the detriment of everyone in aviation. :mad:

    Thoughts anyone?

    DD
  2. aviator4512

    aviator4512 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2012
    Messages:
    59
    This is interesting... They do sell pollution liability insurance for the sole purpose of keeping businesses like FBOs who perform fueling services protected. Typically this coverage provides reimbursement for defense costs in the event of any legal action brought on by negligence. With that said, this can be fairly expensive coverage to purchase so I'm assuming that some operators have joined forces to fund this legal defense group instead of purchasing the insurance coverage.

    We see this "pooling" of resources elsewhere in the aviation insurance business, but I can tell you that they rarely last in the long-term because they become insolvent.
  3. travler

    travler New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2012
    Messages:
    139
    i can speak from experience that pollution insurance is very costly

    travler