International Aero Engines (IAE) have been busy, with the engine supplier testing its V2500 engine with 100% Sustainable Air Fuel.
The test was carried out at MTU Maintenance in Hannover, Germany. IAE is a multinational consortium comprised of Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines AG.
The V2500 engine currently powers the A320ceo family aircraft and the Embraer C-390 Millenium – both civil and military use.
The V2500 engine test was run on 100% Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosine (HEFA-SPK) fuel supplied by Neste. HEFA-SPK is produced by hydrotreating renewable raw materials, such as waste oils or fats, into an aviation turbine fuel and is a prominent sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuels. Pratt & Whitney continues collaborating closely with the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) and ASTM International towards the goal of developing future specifications for 100% SAF.
In Quotes
Kim Kinsley, president, IAE AG, and vice president, Mature Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney said:
“This test with 100% SAF demonstrates that V2500 engines can continue contributing towards making aviation more sustainable in the decades ahead,”
“With nearly 3,000 V2500-powered aircraft in service today, IAE recognizes our important role in supporting the industry’s goal to meet net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. We anticipate the majority of our eight IAE company shops will be prepared to use SAF in their operations in the next few years.”
Michael Schreyögg, Chief Program Officer, MTU Aero Engines adds:
“MTU Maintenance Hannover is the first maintenance, repair and overhaul facility worldwide to carry out a 100% SAF test on a V2500,”
“This test demonstrates our commitment to supporting greater use of SAF across both our entire network and the broader industry. We remain dedicated to working with IAE, suppliers and partners to ensure not only that our products are capable of operating with SAF but also that our maintenance, repair and overhaul infrastructure can support all operators and owners with their SAF testing requirements.”
Compatibility will matter – even in mature platforms
As much as some airlines love to run new fleets of aircraft, it’s a fact there will be legacy aircraft running older engines for some years to come as airlines and lessors will want to sweat their assets until the end of their useful lives.
The V2500 is currently approved for operation on SAF blended at up to 50% with conventional Jet A and A-1 fuel.
Combined with the applications the engines are used on, completing the certification for use with 100% SAF will be important – providing the aviation industry can get to a point where regular 100% SAF flights are viable.
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