Austro Engine Launching SAF Program for Turnkey Sustainability

Diamond Aircraft Austria and its sister company Austro Engine have launched a dedicated Sustainable Aviation Fuel program.

The duo will work to validate and approve SAF blends expected to become the norm at airports around the world before they reach widespread availability. Testing and analysis have so far been promising in the Austro Engine lineup, with its piston engine offerings expected to offer the quickest customer-level benefits. The company is slated to receive its first shipment of certified SAF in May, which will be the last piece they need to kick things into high gear. Company brass was quick to crow about their expectations of a sustainable lineup across the Diamond range.

“Next to the all-electric eDA40, SAF will become a near term available solution for sustainable aviation,” said Robert Kremnitzer, Head of Design Organization, Diamond Aircraft Austria. “In the piston engine segment, we have the big advantage that most of our existing fleet is already using jet fuel. With this program we ensure, that sustainable alternatives to this fuel types may be used as soon as they become available at airports with General Aviation fuel stations with no or only minor adaptations to the aircraft.”

“We believe the coexistence of several technologies as strategically sensible for General Aviation. Diamond Aircraft is currently developing the eDA40, an all-electric training aircraft, which will be certified in the near future. Austro Engine relies on more than 16 years of experience and more than 2.5 million hours flown with their piston engines,” said Felix Zahradnik, Chief Technology Officer, Austro Engine. 

“In addition to further innovations in the field of material science and combustion process development, the key to sustainability lies in the type of fuel used. By using regeneratively produced fuels, not only can the existing infrastructure be utilized, but also the CO2 balance significantly and directly influenced. The goal of current efforts is clearly the release of sustainable fuels for currently available Diamond aircraft.”

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com