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Rolls-Royce and Boeing in successful 100% sustainable fuel flight
October 20th 2021
Evidence continues to mount that 100% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can be successfully used in aircraft engines after a successful test flight by Rolls-Royce, Boeing and World Energy. Read More » The test flight in the U.S. of almost four hours used Rolls-Royce’s 747 Flying Test bed aircraft with a Trent 1000 engine running on 100% SAF. The engine maker said initial indications were that there were no engineering issues “providing further proof of the fuel’s suitability for commercial use”. The latest results add to those from tests carried out on Tent XWB and Pearl engines on the ground and in the air. Aircraft are currently certified to operate on a maximum of a 50% SAF blend, but the engine manufacturer has pledged that all of its Trent engines will be compatible with 100% SAF by 2023. Boeing closely collaborated on the flight, providing technical support and ensuring the 74’s7 systems operated as expected. “We believe in air travel as a force for cultural good, but we also recognise the need to take action to decarbonise our industry,’’ said Rolls-Royce director product development and technology civil aerospace, Simon Burr. “This flight is another example of collaboration across the value chain to make sure all the aircraft technology solutions are in place to enable a smooth introduction of 100% SAF into our industry.”
