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Russia’s Small Planes Test Car Gas as Aviation Fuel Runs Short—and Engines May Detonate
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Operators of light aircraft in Russia have begun testing automobile gasoline in their planes as aviation gasoline becomes more expensive and harder to find, even as it may pose a danger to the aircraft’s engine, Russian media outlet Kommersant reported on June 22.
The problem is hitting Russia’s small aviation sector especially hard. According to Kommersant, some companies are already testing flights using lower-grade fuel amid warnings that aviation gasoline could become scarce in the coming months.
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Against this backdrop, the association of An-2 operators has proposed state regulation of prices for aviation kerosene and aviation gasoline. The appeal is expected to be sent to Russia’s Transport Ministry by the end of June.
According to Vladimir Antonov, president of the association, fuel costs make up a larger share of expenses for small aviation operators than for major passenger airlines. That worsens the economics of flights and reduces demand for their services.
LightAir CEO Dmitry Toropov said access to aviation gasoline for small aviation in Russia “has always been bad, but now it is getting worse.”
In major airports, aviation gasoline is reportedly available only through partners in Ufa and Volgograd. In other regions, small aviation operators either have to carry fuel with them or turn to private flying clubs.
As an alternative, some operators have started using automobile gasoline. Vadim Tsyganash, executive director of the aviation works association, said Russia’s aviation regulator had eased fuel supply requirements for light aircraft. With an assessment certificate, some aircraft can now be fueled with automobile gasoline instead of aviation gasoline.
Some operators have already replaced Rotax-912 engines with Chinese C100 analogues and begun test flights using Euro-3 gasoline. According to the association, the tests have so far been successful, with no negative impact on engine performance observed. However, the accumulated flight time is still not enough for final conclusions.
Specialists warn that using unsuitable fuel can cause engine detonation, reduced thrust, and faster contamination of exhaust systems.
Market participants estimate that aviation gasoline reserves in some Russian regions may last only 1 to 1.5 months. At the same time, operators still face four more months of agricultural aviation work, which some now expect to carry out using Euro-3 automobile gasoline.
Fuel expenses can account for up to 30% of airline operating costs. Aeroflot head Sergey Alexandrovsky previously said the company’s fueling costs had risen by 7% since the start of the year.
According to Russia’s civil aviation register for 2026, 853 An-2 aircraft are currently registered in the country.
Earlier, reports emerged that Russia was considering restoring up to 700 Soviet-era An-2 aircraft currently in storage after efforts to develop a modern replacement failed.
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