First Twin-Engine, 100 percent SAF Test on Commercial Passenger Jet Shows Promise

Thom Patterson

Monday, November 29, 2021 at 01:04 PM ET

Verified

Researchers test 100 percent SAF using an Airbus A350 and a Falcon chase aircraft. Credit: Airbus

Key Takeaways:

A groundbreaking study, the first to test 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in both engines of a commercial jet, found "no engineering obstacle" to its operation.
Initial results indicate that 100 percent SAF released fewer particulates than conventional jet fuel, suggesting its potential to reduce aviation's climate impact and improve air quality.
This research is a critical step toward certifying 100 percent SAF for widespread use, which is essential for decarbonizing long-haul air travel, though challenges like cost and production capacity remain.

See a mistake? Contact us.

For the first time, researchers are studying the effectiveness of burning 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in both engines of a commercial passenger jet. Researchers from Airbus, Rolls-Royce, the German research center DLR and SAF producer Neste, reported promising early results Monday.

In-flight emissions testing began earlier this year using an Airbus A350 powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.