Safran Engines Remain Popular in Sustainability Testing as Industry Eagerly Decarbonizes

China's first Sustainable Aviation Fuel-powered rotary-wing flight has been completed using an Airbus H125.

The national first was performed using the aircraft from the State Grid Space Technology Company. The firm managed to make a footnote in their history by beating the rest of the field to flight using a hybrid ratio of 40% synthesized SAF from China National Aviation Fuel. The H125 is a good testbed for SAF use, being well-understood by Airbus after years of SAF development overseas. The Safran ARRIEL 2d Engine provided nearly identical performance metrics to running off pure virgin petroleum. Future flights will see a blend up to 50% SAF, with an eventual goal of 100% pure SAF by the end of the decade.

“The success of this flight is of great significance to stimulate SAF promotion and its application,” said Du Guihe, Board Chairman of SGST. “It makes a positive impact on the enterprises which are proactive on low-carbon general aviation development. It is also a breakthrough for China's general aviation industry to better implement carbon emission reduction in the post-pandemic era.”

“I am proud that our customer, SGST, launched this noteworthy SAF flight with the H125, marking Airbus Helicopters as the first helicopter manufacturer to perform a SAF flight in China,” said Colin James, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in China. “In an effort to reduce carbon emissions and set a standard within the industry, we are working with our partners to use locally-produced SAF.” 

“The takeoff of SAF-powered helicopters in China once again illustrates the achievements of Safran Helicopter Engines in terms of innovation and SAF application. We have a full engine portfolio certified to operate on up to 50% of SAF. We would like to recall hereby our willingness to play an active role in China by providing propulsion solutions. With our main partners SGST and Airbus Helicopters, we will make further contributions to promote our joint vision of green aviation,” said Marc Delort, General Manager of Safran Helicopter Engines China.

FMI: www.airbus.com