What Are the Differences Between Aviation Gasoline and Regular Gasoline?
2 Answers
Aviation gasoline and regular automotive gasoline mainly differ in purity, composition, and performance. The specific details are as follows: Difference in Purity: Compared to regular automotive gasoline, aviation gasoline is highly refined and contains fewer impurities. Difference in Composition: Aviation gasoline is a transparent liquid composed of straight-run fractions, hydrocracking and hydrofining components, and necessary additives. It primarily consists of hydrocarbons from different sections. Regular automotive gasoline is a mixture of complex hydrocarbons (with carbon atoms numbering approximately 4-12). It is one of the most widely used light petroleum products and an important fuel for engines. Its boiling point range is 30–205°C, and it can explode when the air concentration reaches 74–123g/m3. Difference in Performance: Aviation gasoline has higher volatility and anti-knock properties compared to regular automotive gasoline. It features suitable density, high calorific value, excellent combustion performance, and burns quickly, stably, continuously, and completely with a small combustion area and minimal carbon deposits, making it less prone to coking. It also has good low-temperature fluidity, meeting the needs of cold regions and high-altitude flight. Regular automotive gasoline generally has lower performance, with minimal carbon deposits and good low-temperature fluidity.
Aviation gasoline and regular gasoline are quite different. First, the octane rating: aviation gasoline is typically 100 or higher to resist detonation at high altitudes, whereas regular automotive gasoline ranges from 87 to 93. Aviation gasoline often contains lead to enhance performance, which is highly polluting but necessary for stable aircraft operation; regular gasoline is now mostly unleaded and more environmentally friendly. The safety differences are even more significant: using regular gasoline in aircraft engines can cause stalling or even fires at high altitudes, which is extremely dangerous, so I always emphasize carefully checking labels when refueling at airports. Freeze resistance is also crucial—aviation gasoline includes additives to prevent icing, while regular gasoline doesn’t need this. Price-wise, aviation gasoline is much more expensive and only available at specialized locations, whereas regular gasoline is widely accessible and more economical. Private pilots must be aware of these differences and avoid mixing fuels improperly.
