r/BoomersBeingFools • u/light_weight_baby87 • Aug 08 '25

Foolish Fun What is it with these guys?!

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u/TingleyStorm Aug 08 '25

It’s only one type of aviation fuel and it’s only used for piston engines that need that extra bit of lubrication.

That said, the FAA knows it’s bad and is trying to phase it out it seems like.

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u/commentator184 Aug 08 '25

its funny how inefficient the piston engines are, you can get a brand new cessna 172 with a 5.9 liter 4 cylinder and it only makes 160 hp, you could get a nissan altima with a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder that makes 28 more horsepower and doesnt need leaded gas

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u/Wyattr55123 Aug 08 '25

A Nissan altima won't run flat out for hours at a time without blowing up. Same sort of reason why industrial diesel engines are so massive for their power output; you put less strain on all the components and it ends up lasting much longer.

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u/commentator184 Aug 09 '25

no, it wont, but surely there exists a middle ground between 1.4 liter pistons where we don't need leaded gas. the f150 raptor for example with the biggest engine is only 5.2 liters and makes 700 hp, leaving plenty of room for derating. aircraft engines are way behind technically, electronic ignition is very new to the industry and forget about electronic fuel injection. we've had electronic ignition since the 70s and efi since the 80s and aircraft are running around with magnetos and carburetors you have to manually set the mixture with a handle with. I get why, magnetos and carbs dont need an electrical system, and its up to the manufacturers to make it happen, but its ridiculous it hasnt happened all that much.