Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has announced the successful completion of the inaugural trans-Atlantic flight fueled entirely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Executed on November 19, the journey involved a Gulfstream G600 aircraft departing from the company’s headquarters in Savannah and landing approximately 6 hours and 56 minutes later at Farnborough Airport in England.
The milestone was achieved using Pratt & Whitney PW815GA engines, both exclusively powered by 100% SAF. This groundbreaking mission highlights the potential for renewable fuels in aviation, boasting lower levels of carbon, sulfur, and aromatics. The information gathered during this endurance flight will aid Gulfstream and its key collaborators in assessing aircraft compatibility with future low-aromatic renewable fuels, particularly in cold temperatures and for extended flight durations.
The SAF employed in this flight, supplied by World Energy and distributed by World Fuel Services, was composed entirely of Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (neat HEFA). This formulation exhibits at least a 70% reduction in lifecycle CO2 emissions compared to fossil-based jet fuel, contributing to the aviation industry’s efforts to mitigate its impact on climate change. Furthermore, this zero-added aromatics fuel has a diminished impact on local air quality and minimal sulfur content, thereby reducing non-CO2 environmental effects.
Crucial contributors to this achievement include Honeywell, Safran, and Eaton. Gulfstream, as the first business jet original equipment manufacturer to conduct a flight utilizing 100% SAF, continues to spearhead sustainability initiatives within the industry, marking a significant step forward in its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility.
“Gulfstream is innovating for a sustainable future,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “One of the keys to reaching business aviation’s long-term decarbonization goals is the broad use of SAF in place of fossil-based jet fuel. The completion of this world-class flight helps to advance business aviation’s overarching sustainability mission and create positive environmental impacts for future generations.”
“Gulfstream continues to break new ground in the sustainable aviation space, and we applaud them for completing this mission as we work to validate the compatibility of our engines with unblended SAF,” said Anthony Rossi, vice president, Sales & Marketing, Pratt & Whitney Canada.
“We’d like to thank all our partners for their help in making this milestone flight happen, and for their ongoing partnership in collaborating with the extended SAF community to champion the aviation industry’s path to 100% SAF usage,” said Burns.
