Fuel is something that people tend to take for granted until a critical failure occurs. 
 
In the unmanned industry, UAV operators can’t afford to have fuel issues happen, or else they risk having a potential disaster on their hands that could result in the loss of very valuable technology.
 
VP Racing Fuels, a company that has been fueling champions in virtually every form of motorsport on land, sea, and air with its fuel technology since 1975, has for more than 10 years now been indirectly working with UAVs. Recognizing the immense value that UAVs provide society, especially the military and public safety sector, VP has aligned itself within the UAV industry to make sure that these systems stay in the air so that they can complete their missions safely and efficiently.
 
“We want these UAVs to perform today and every day,” says James Harlow, Director of Chemical Business Development for VP Racing Fuels. “We want them to be dependable and reliable.”
 
Equipped with 45 years’ worth of specialty fuel technology experience, VP Racing Fuels has developed a new and improved line of UAV fuels with superior performance for commercial, municipal and military applications. These fuels are in production and ready for immediate shipment. If VP does not currently offer a fuel that meets a company’s needs, its in-house lab will work to develop a fuel to meet their specifications. VP’s expertise in fuel has allowed them to meet the unique requirements of many specialty applications with a portfolio of over 70 unique fuel blends.
 
The unmanned industry has started working with VP to address the fuel issues they have been experiencing. Like with so many small engines, pump gas is just not designed for UAV engines. We tend to think of gasoline as all being the same but it is far from it. When you have an expensive asset – in the air – you want to make sure you have clean burning, ethanol free fuel that is stable and consistent with every batch. 
 
For 2-cycle engines, the best full synthetic clean burning 2-cycle oil is also necessary for engine longevity and performance. It is the combination of fuel and oil in a 2-cycle engine that keeps an engine running its best and keeps a UAV in the air. 
 
VP’s solution provides the perfect blend of base fuel components, additives, octane, RVP and oil (for 2-cycle) to meet specific engine applications.
 
According to VP, the UAV industry has two main issues when it comes to fuel: poor fuel itself and newer Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliant engine standards. Modern hot running compliant engines put additional stress on fuel. Poor fuel creates excess carbon that can lead to ring stick, blocked exhaust ports and other problems. 
 
When it comes to the fuel itself, poor quality fuel varies by batch, by location and by season. It also has many components you don’t want or need. They are there because it costs too much to remove them. Pump gas starts to oxidize in as little as 30 days, creating gums and varnish that clogs fuel systems from carburetor jets to injectors, which results in poor performance and product failures. Pump gas with ethanol is also hydroscopic, meaning it attracts water which in turn creates additional corrosion. As an example, water issues can lead to icing at altitude.
 
VP UAV fuels in contrast have the right components and are stable a minimum two years in the tank and five years in the original container. 
 
Some other differentiating factors that separate VP’s fuels for UAVs from other offerings include that the company’s fuels are formulated with superior anti-knock properties, consistent RVP and have more energy content per gallon than standard fuels. Your UAV will experience far fewer fuel related issues using VP fuel. VP UAV fuels run clean, start easy, are consistent batch to batch and provide better engine performance and longer engine life.
 
With a mind towards making sure that UAVs run on the best fuel technology possible, VP Racing Fuels is looking to solve an issue that often goes under the radar.