Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. conducted the first flight test of an ultra-long-range business jet powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The test flight with the twin-engine Gulfstream G725 powered by the BR650 engine was carried out at Gulfstream's headquarters in Savannah Georgia.
This test, which shows that existing Rolls-Royce engines for business jets and civil aircraft can operate using 100% SAF with the "drop-in" option, allows the substitution fuel type to progress confidently into the certification program. Currently, SAF can only be used with blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel. SAF is available for all current Rolls-Royce engines.
While one of the SAF components used in the test flight was produced by World Energy, the other component was produced by Virent Inc. undertakes: HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) obtained from waste and vegetable oils and SAK (Synthesised Aromatic Kerosene - Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene) produced from waste vegetable-based sugars. Other petroleum-based ingredients are being added to this innovative and fully sustainable fuel under development. In this way, there is no need for any modification process in the infrastructure of jet engines and 100% "drop-in" SAF fuel is obtained that can be used. This sustainable fuel has the potential to reduce CO2 life cycle emissions by approximately 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Making a statement about the test flight, Rolls-Royce Germany Business Aviation and Engineering Director Dr. Joerg Au said:
“Sustainable aviation fuels have the potential to significantly reduce aviation carbon emissions and are essential for decarbonizing the skies. As Rolls-Royce, the “drop-in” that we power the existing engines will make a great contribution to the aviation world. This flight test we conducted with Gulfstream demonstrates the compatibility of our engines with SAF. Our engines help users achieve net zero carbon.”
Mark Burns, President of Gulfstream, said, “Pioneering the decarbonization of the aviation industry is one of our longstanding goals at Gulfstream. Testing, evaluating and supporting new developments in SAF brings us one step closer to this goal. Thanks to our partnership with Rolls-Royce, we have successfully completed another milestone in this work.” said.
The G725 family of aircraft, powered by the BR650, holds more than 120 world speed records, including the furthest flight speed record in business aviation history. With more than 500 aircraft in service, the G650 and Gulfstream G650ER are among the world's most reliable business jets. Since entering service in 650, the G2012 family of aircraft has delivered outstanding reliability, efficiency and speed, along with outstanding environmental performance.
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