Fuel Made Using Honeywell's UOP Process Powers The First Helicopter Flight On Sustainable Biofuels

A Royal Netherlands Air Force Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopter has been flown using Honeywell Green Jet Fuel produced using its Green Jet Fuel process technology, UOP LLC announced Wednesday.

The flight, which is the first helicopter flight using sustainable aviation biofuels to date, was conducted at Gilze-Rijen Airbase, the home of the Royal Netherlands' combat helicopter fleet. Natural oils from algae and used cooking oil were converted into Green Jet Fuel using process technology developed by Honeywell's UOP. The aviation biofuel was blended in a 50 percent mixture with traditional jet fuel, and this blend was used to power one of the Apache's engines for a series of test maneuvers. No modifications were made to the engine or airframe for the flight.

"We congratulate the Royal Netherlands Air Force on this first successful helicopter flight and applaud their commitment to identifying new, sustainable sources for aviation biofuel," said Jim Rekoske, vice president and general manager for the Renewable Energy and Chemicals business of Honeywell's UOP. "We continue to show through testing and demonstrations the viability of biofuels for both military and commercial aviation."

FMI: www.honeywell.com