An Airbus H225 helicopter recently completed the first flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the history of helicopter flight. One of the two Safran Makila 2 engines on the aircraft used 100 % Sustainable aviation fuel. The flight was carried out at Airbus Helicopter Headquarters in Marian, marking the start of a flight test campaign aimed at assessing the impact of non-blended sustainable aviation fuel on helicopter systems, thereby completing the use of hybrid sustainable aviation fuel that exceeds the current 50% limit. Certification.
"All Airbus helicopters have been certified for flying with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel. We are committed to completing the certification for Airbus helicopters flying with 100% sustainable aviation fuel within ten years. Today's first flight is An important step towards this goal.” said Stefan Thome, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Airbus Helicopter Engineering.
Following the previous bench test of non-mixed sustainable aviation fuels by Safran helicopter engines at its Bordes plant, this flight test will help to further understand the technical challenges of using 100% sustainable aviation fuel . This H225 test helicopter uses non-mixed sustainable aviation fuel extracted from recycled edible oil provided by Total Energy. Compared with ordinary aviation fuel, it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 90%.
"Sustainable aviation fuel is an important part of Airbus Helicopter's decarbonization strategy. It can directly reduce carbon dioxide emissions without negatively affecting the performance of the helicopter." Thome added, "I want to thank our partner Safran Helicopters Engines and Total Energy are cooperating with us to achieve today’s maiden flight. Further cooperation among all industry stakeholders will help overcome the challenges of widespread use of sustainable aviation fuels, and achieve a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the aviation industry. The substantive progress of the project is crucial."
In order to promote the strategic deployment of the use of biofuels, Airbus Helicopters has launched a dedicated rotorcraft sustainable aviation fuel user group. At the same time, Airbus also began to use sustainable aviation fuel for training and flight tests in its French and German campuses.
