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Airbus reports promising results from world-first inflight sustainable fuel test
December 1st 2021
The initial results are available from a world-first study of the impact of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial jet and they look promising. Read More » Researchers found the ECLIF3 study, involving Airbus, Rolls-Royce, German research centre, DLR. and SAF producer Neste, found the SAF released fewer particulates than conventional kerosene. They said this pointed to a reduced climate impact and improved air quality around airports. The test on the A350, powered by Trent XWB engines, also found the SAF had some fuel-efficiency advantages because it had a lower density but higher energy content per kilogram than kerosene. This was the first time 100% SAF had been used in both engines of a flying commercial aircraft. “Engines and fuel systems can be tested on the ground but the only way to gather the full set of emissions data necessary for this programme to be successful is to fly an aircraft in real conditions,” said Airbus new energy program manager, Steven Moing. “Inflight testing of the A350 offers the advantage of characterising direct and indirect engine emissions, including particulates from behind an aircraft at high altitude.” The analysis is ongoing with full results due to be published in academic journals towards the end of next year and in 2023.
