November 20, 2023News

A Transatlantic Flight Used Only SAF

November 19, 2023, marked a special day for two North American firms – Gulfstream and RTX’s Pratt & Whitney. Why? A G600 business jet, made by the former, with two PW815GA turbofan engines manufactured by the latter, flew from Savannah, Georgia, USA, to Farnborough, Hampshire, United Kingdom, using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). That made it the first transatlantic flight to be solely powered by SAF.

The Gulfstream G600 was fed with 100 per cent Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids (neat HEFA), which lowers lifecycle CO2 emissions by at least 70 per cent compared to fossil-based aviation fuel. The SAF used was produced by World Energy and delivered by World Fuel Services.

Also Read: Pratt & Whitney Signs A 10-Year Contract With Emirates

Rachit Shad Trehan

Warning! Can talk cars for hours.

0 0 votes

Article Rating

December 8, 2023

Cathay Cargo To Buy Up To 26 Airbus A350F Freighters

To make Hong Kong the world’s top air cargo hub, Cathay Group has placed a firm order for Airbus A350F Freighters. The agreement also gives the option for the Hong Kong-based airline to purchase a further 20 such aircraft. Cathay confirms that the first units from this order will start arriving in 2027. These freighter aircraft will help the carrier link its hub and China Mainland with long-haul destinations across North America, South America and Europe.

Presently, Cathay Group’s Cargo services are handled by 20 Boeing 747 freighters, including 14 B747-8Fs and 6 B747-400ERFs. In addition to those purpose-built aircraft, the airline serves cargo needs with belly capacity on its fleet of passenger aeroplanes.

The order book for Cathay Group currently includes 21 Boeing 777-9s, with deliveries expected to start in 2025, and 49 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, all expected to join the fleet by 2029.

December 7, 2023

Pratt & Whitney Propels The Falcon 6X Into Service

RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Canada joins Dassault Aviation in celebrating the latter’s Falcon 6X’s entry into service. The business jet, which had bagged its type certifications from EASA and FAA earlier this year, is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW812D turbofan engines. The Falcon 6X entered service on November 30, 2023.

In the testing phase, the engines proved so fuel-efficient that they could fly the largest Falcon jet for up to 5,500 nautical miles (10,200km). Plus, compared to direct competition, the PW812D also offers improvements over noise and emissions. Pratt & Whitney Canada claims that the PW800 series engines require 40 per cent less scheduled maintenance and 20 per cent fewer inspections when compared to rivals in the same class.

The engines in question are already compatible with a 50 per cent blend of kerosene-based jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Further tests are being conducted for up to 100 per cent use of SAF.