Airbus Helicopters in Japan and Japan’s main helicopter operator Nakanihon Air (NNK) lately collectively carried out the nation’s first helicopter flight powered with sustainable aviation gas (SAF). NNK’s H215 helicopter performed a 30-minute flight at Nagoya Airport in Aichi Prefecture.
The plane was fueled with 600 liters of “SUSTEO 10”, a renewable jet gas produced by Japan’s first biofuel producer Euglena, which has met the specs of each worldwide and Japanese requirements of diesel fuels ASTM D1655 and JIS Ok 2204 respectively. SUSTEO accommodates 10% of SAF combined with Jet A-1.
At this time’s SAF flight trial is essential for our firm as we work on the discount of the CO2 emitted throughout flights in an effort to sort out local weather change points. The domestically produced SAF is a direct method in the direction of decreasing carbon emissions for the helicopter market.
—Hajime Futagami, President of Nakanihon Air
The dual-engine, heavy-lift H215 is a member of the Tremendous Puma helicopter household, identified for its excessive availability charge, efficiency, and aggressive working price. >
At this time, all Airbus helicopters are licensed to fly with as much as a 50% mix of SAF combined with kerosene, with the goal to succeed in 100% SAF in coordination with engine producers. An Airbus H225 carried out the primary helicopter flight with 100% SAF powering one of many Safran Makila 2 engines in 2021. Helicopter operations with 100% SAF would translate to a discount of 80% of CO2 emissions.
Airbus Helicopters has launched a SAF Person Group devoted to the rotary-wing group, in a bid to drive the deployment of biofuels. The corporate has additionally began utilizing SAF for coaching and take a look at flights at its French and German websites.
