Continental's not waiting for the industry to figure out a replacement for 100LL. At AOPA Summit in Hartford, it announced a new line of low-compression engines that can run on low-octane fuels.

Video.  

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_AOPASummit2011_ContinentalEngineIO360_205420-1.html

Perhaps this will bring about a ford like "eco boost" aircraft engine and get us out of the 1940s in general aviation.

So now the Chinese are the innovators? What the heck!?

back in the 60's I worked at a crop dusting outfit loading. owner ran steersman's with 650 prat radial engines, we use 80-87

This needs to happen industry wide, sooner, rather than later.

I'll be happy when they can replace piston engines in the 300 to 400 HP range.  Designing a C-85 replacement is one thing, replacing a TIO-540 is entirely another.

And getting similar fuel burn would be nice too.

Sadly, the tech is there, but the profit margin for all the FAA paperwork make R&D look cheap.  It wouldn't take much effort at all to make an efi system for pretty much every airplane engine out there... but getting it certified?  Sigh.

100ll will be around for a long time

without the lead in 100LL, you end up with avgas that is about 94 octane, which would be equivalent to about 96 octane car gas.

using modern computer-controlled spark timing and mixture control, this 94 octane unleaded avgas has been used without ill effects in high-output aviation motors.

the problem is getting the FAA to approve the use of modern ignition systems in aircraft. despite the 30 year history of excellent reliability, the feds are still worried about electrical system failure and the loss of ignition. so we are still stuck with 1930's Farmall tractor ignition technology.

And the cost of such things that are only used by the VERY small market of general aviation.  Therefore, you are paying out the nose as there is no economy of scale.  

There is absolutely no technical reason why there aren't full retrofit kits for every O-360 engine out there that will eliminate that stupid mixture knob.  Safety would be improved, as reliability would be increased since the solid state ignition modules are very reliable and light.  The systems could even be 100% redundant with dual "mags".   Efficiency would increase, as you could run at the right mixture setting all the time.  Temps would even out some, as fuel metering would be much better.  Just imagine, a key, a small diagnostic reader for your engine linked to a simple ECM, a throttle, and a prop control.  No more mixture.  

The only reason they don't exist is the liability and the paperwork.  The market isn't big enough to warrant the investment in the paperwork.

The FAA, making aviation safer at any cost.  I get the feeling that the FAA would just be fine if there were no GA.