Memorandum Of Understanding Signed By FAA, DGCA

The FAA and Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have signed an agreement to promote developing and using sustainable, alternative aviation fuels and additional environmental collaboration between the two nations.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) builds on the Obama Administration’s efforts to protect the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, and provide our nation and the broader global community with more sustainable energy resources. It builds on mutual interests and challenges for the U.S.-Indonesia partnership, including the environment.

FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker and DGCA Director Ir. Suprasetyo “Pras” signed the MOU.  U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Victor Mendez and Indonesian Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan witnessed the signing.

The signing was one of the key agreements delivered just before Indonesian President Jokowi “Joko” Widodo’s historic first state visit to the United States.

Prior to the signing, Whitaker said the FAA is pleased to enter into this important mutual cooperative agreement with the Indonesia DGCA. He pointed out that in addition to providing environmental benefits, these agreements make economic sense. They help build greater aviation capacity and efficiency worldwide by exploring wider, more available aircraft fuel options, he noted.

“The FAA looks forward to working closely with our Indonesian colleagues on advancing both of our capabilities related to the sustainability of aviation and sustainable aviation alternative fuels,”Whitaker said. He added that the MOU’s primary focus areas are research and development of alternative aviation fuels; energy conservation; environmental protection and sustainable aviation growth; critical information and personnel exchange; strengthened capacity-building; and, the sharing of best practices.

The agreement will create additional partnership opportunities between the U.S. Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) and Indonesia’s Aviation Biofuels and Renewable Energy Task Force (ABRETF). Both organizations have similar goals and successes, such as developing alternative fuels that can be used in existing engines.

In addition to CAAFI, a primary FAA NextGen environmental effort is its Continuous Lower Energy, Emission and Noise (CLEEN) program. In this program, the FAA works with selected industry partners in exploring, developing and deploying technologies and procedures that save fuel and thereby reduce emissions.

A key focus of the CLEEN partnership has been testing renewable, alternative fuels. During the last five years, the FAA and its partners have paved the way for producing and using at least three new aircraft fuels. More alternative fuels are expected in the near future as the program enters its second five-year phase.

This agreement with Indonesia will also allow the FAA to further leverage the work of the Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT), which is the agency’s Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment.

FMI: www.faa.gov