PASO ROBLES, Calif. / August 25, 2020 / GENERAL AVIATION NEWS – As hundreds of fires rage throughout California, devastating communities and diminishing air quality throughout the region, ACI Jet works diligently to support its beloved home in every way it can: by providing service to life-saving aerial firefighting operations and taking on two loads of Avfuel SAF mid-August to support clean air initiatives.

ACI Jet Paso Robles (KPRB) is well-known by the aviation community for its extensive fire suppression support. The FBO fuels dozens of aircraft when there are fires in the area. Since the beginning of July, ACI Jet Paso Robles has supported firefighting efforts by safely executing more than 350 fueling operations for Cal Fire and the US Forest Services. This included the OV-10, King Air, S2s, various helicopters, 737, MD-87, C130, RJ85 and the BAE 146. 

“Our team is proud to work with the brave pilots who fight for the safety of our communities through aerial fire suppression activities,” said Luke Newlon, general manager, central coast for ACI Jet. “It’s just one example of how general aviation is here to serve its communities and the important role it plays in safety and health.”

With further consideration for health and safety, the ACI Jet team accepted two loads totaling 14,600 gallons of Avfuel sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), split between its three locations in Santa Ana (KSNA), San Luis Obispo, KSBP and Paso Robles (KPRB), earlier this month. In total, the product provided a four metric ton reduction in CO₂ emissions, supporting the FBO network’s sustainability goals—along with those of its green-minded customers. The fuel was placed in ACI Jet’s general fuel storage tanks and uplifted into any aircraft requesting jet fuel following the deliveries.

The significance of the event was not lost on the ACI Jet Paso Robles team as it accepted the fuel load on a day when the city was ranked as one of the worst locations for air quality in the world due to hazardous smoke.  

“ACI Jet is pleased to participate in these one-off demonstrations to prove that sustainable aviation fuel is a viable alternative to traditional petroleum-based jet fuel,” said Andrew Robillard, ACI Jet’s vice president of FBOs and facilities. “The demand is there. The infrastructure is there. We just need supply from producers to catch up. Sustainability is a new frontier and we’re thankful to have worked with Avfuel as a leading pair in this initiative.”

“We are grateful to partner with a sustainably-focused operation like ACI Jet to support a brighter, cleaner future,” said Mark Haynes, vice president of sales for Avfuel. “The work ACI Jet is accomplishing to support its community through fire suppression and accepting SAF makes it a model in our industry for the good general aviation can and does do for our world.” 

While a commercial ratable scale of SAF is still the industry’s greatest hurdle for its widespread adoption, Avfuel hopes raising awareness through one-off demonstrations, like these loads at ACI Jet, can inspire commitments and demand for SAF to further encourage production. Avfuel continues to work diligently to source, test, blend and ship SAF within the business aviation community.

Those interested in learning more about sustainable aviation fuel are encouraged to visit avfuel.com/Fuel/Alternative-Fuels or contact Keith Sawyer, manager of alternative fuels, at [email protected] for more information.

ABOUT AVFUEL’S SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL

Avfuel sources it concentrated SAF from Gevo, Inc., and blends it with petroleum-based jet fuel. This mixture is then tested for fuel quality and to ensure it meets ASTM D1655 standards. The product has a net benefit to the environment across its lifecycle. Created from cornstarch, for every one million gallons of the concentrated SAF that is produced, approximately 10 million pounds of animal feed and protein is sold into the food chain, and the final jet fuel product burns cleaner, reducing carbon emissions released into the atmosphere.

ABOUT AVFUEL CORPORATION

Avfuel provides fuel and services to the global aviation industry and is the leading independent supplier in the United States.  Established as a supply and logistics company more than 45 years ago, Avfuel is core competent in every aspect that surrounds the delivery of fuel – from refinery to wingtip.  Avfuel combines global access with personalized service throughout a fueling network of more than 3,000 locations worldwide and 650+ Avfuel-branded dealers. Our 100% dedication to aviation demonstrates our passion and commitment to a global community that prospers on the movement of goods and services around the world.

ABOUT ACI JET

Headquartered on California’s Central Coast since its founding in 1998, ACI Jet is a recognized leader in private aviation services. Led by founder and avid aviator William “Bill” Borgsmiller, ACI Jet’s aviation ecosystem includes aircraft ground support services, charter services, and aircraft management. ACI Jet ensures its clients’ mission success through the implementation of the latest aviation safety technologies and a leadership team comprised of Aviators Doing Aviation®, aviation enthusiasts who know aviation from the inside out.  More information can be found by visiting us online at www.acijet.com or on social media @flyacijet.

Contact Avfuel Corporation: Marci Ammerman, Vice President Marketing, 734-663-6466, [email protected], www.avfuel.com, facebook.com/avfuel, Twitter: @Avfuel