FAQ
Q: Does SwiftFuel contain ethanol?
A: No,
SwiftFuel contains no ethanol.
Q: Is SwiftFuel petroleum-based?
A: No, it will not be petroleum-based. One major goal of the SwiftFuel project was to develop a renewable substitute for petroleum-based fuel.
We can use the existing ethanol infrastructure in terms of biomass input.
Q: Does SwiftFuel come from bio-renewable products?
A: Yes, all components of SwiftFuel can, and will, be derived from renewable, natural materials.
Q: Does SwiftFuel's production process compete
with food crops?
A: No, SwiftFuel can use several available biomass sources that
are not food crops.
Q: Is there any alcohol in SwiftFuel?
A: No, there are no alcohols of any kind in SwiftFuels.
Q: When can I buy SwiftFuel to use in my airplane?
A: Our plan is to have our fuel at the pump for pilots to buy before the disappearance of 100LL. Our objective is to allow pilots and aircraft owners to continue to operate without interruption due to fuel availability.
Q: What is the MON (motor octane number) of SwiftFuel?
A: The performance number of SwiftFuel is 104.2 with a minimum of 102 thus the designation UL102, as compared to 100LL, whose minimum is 99.5.
Q: How much testing has been done on SwiftFuel?
A: Swift has completed lab testing and static engine testing The bulk of testing has been conducted by independent verification through ASTM laboratories, FAA, OEM’s, and stakeholders. The FAA has completed both detonation testing and endurance testing (4,550 gallons). There have also been numerous flight tests on various aircraft.
Q: Is there a problem with gumming in SwiftFuel?
A: No, The potential gum number, as provided by independent laboratories, is
between 0.6 – 1.8 mg/100mL, which is substantially lower than the
specification of < 6.0 mg/100mL per ASTM D910.
Q: How does SwiftFuel compare to 100LL with regards to emissions?
A: SwiftFuel actually produces less harmful emissions - NOx, CO,
and SO2, because the engine runs more efficiently.
Q: What planes will be able to run on SwiftFuel, and what modifications will need to be made beforehand?
A: Any aircraft that is certified to run on 100LL is envisioned to be able to run on SwiftFuel without any STC’s (Supplemental Type Certificates) or modifications once further tests are conducted and validated.
Q: Is SwiftFuel produced using the Fischer-Tropsch Method?
A: No, the Fischer-Tropsch Method is not used in our production process, as we have come up with a practical production process in order to keep manufacturing costs down.
Q: What is the projected cost of SwiftFuel?
A: The ideal price for SwiftFuel should be comparable to 100LL AvGas; most importantly, the price will remain stable due to its domestic origin.
Q: Is SwiftFuel hydrophilic (does it hold water)?
A: Unlike ethanol, SwiftFuel does not hold water, which means that the fuel will not freeze at altitude. Also, this means that biocide use, as is done in Jet A, is not necessary because the lack of water prevents microorganisms from growing in the fuel.
