(SIM) EMBRAER COMPLETES FLIGHT ON 100% SAF

On Thursday, Pratt & Whitney and Embraer announced they have successfully tested a GTF-powered Embraer E195-E2 aircraft on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

The test is a step forward toward scaling up SAF production and consumption worldwide as the airline industry looks to become greener. 

Both companies held a flight test onboard Embraer’s emblematic Tech Lion Profit Hunter, an E195-E2 that has toured the world showcasing the family aircraft. The test was operated with one engine running on 100% SAF and validated that GTF engines and the E-Jets E2 family can fly on both engines with blends of up to 100% SAF without compromising safety or performance.

The Tech Lion aircraft completed two days of ground tests at Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), Florida, culminating in a 70-minute flight test at Varo Beach Regional Airport.

Rodrigo Silva e Souza, vice president of Strategy and Sustainability at Embraer Commercial Aviation, said,

“The E2 is already the most efficient single-aisle aircraft flying today, saving up to 25% CO2 emissions compared to previous generation aircraft. This reduction in emissions can be increased up to an impressive 85% with 100% SAF. Replacement of older aircraft by new-generation products and scaling up SAF production are the two most effective actions commercial aviation can take now to reduce emissions significantly.”

True Zero-carbon solutions for the airline industry won’t be around for the next 30 years. While the technology evolves, SAF will need to plug the gap and function as a solid interim solution to the aviation CO2 emissions.

Last year, Embraer and Pratt & Whitney signed a memorandum of understanding regarding testing 100% SAF fuels.

According to ASTM International specifications, aircraft can only fly on a maximum of a 50/50 blend of sustainable and traditional fossil fuels. Both companies expect future specifications will enable blends of up to 100% SAF to maximize the emissions reduction potential of using fuel derived from sustainable, non-fossil-based feedstocks. Simple Flying - link - Daniel Martinez Garbuno - link - more like this (SAF) - link - more like this (Embraer) - link