What's happening with 80/87 Avgas?

A phone call from Gerrit van Vrouwerff, COPA Flight 53 Captain, alerted us that local airports are having trouble getting 80/87 Avgas. Checking with Gray-Ham Oil, the suppliers of 80/87 in Ontario, provided the details. The one oil refinery in North America that was producing this grade of Avgas has given 30 days notice that they intended to cease production. They cited the low and diminishing demand for the product.
Gray-Ham indicated that they are seeking an alternative refinery to produce 80/87. They expect that if they are able to find a new producer that it will be spring 2002 before supplies resume. They are encouraging airports that have 80/87 tanks to not remove them, but to wait and see if a new supply can be found.
For more information contact Gray-Ham Oil in St. Mary’s, Ont., Tel.: 800-265-1732.