Boeing is joining forces with NASA and United Airlines to dig deep into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). They’re not just talking about it; they’re doing in-flight tests to see how SAF impacts contrails and emissions that aren’t carbon-based. The goal is to figure out how to make flying less harmful to our planet.
The Testing Plan and Partners
Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator Explorer, a 737-10 that will eventually join United Airlines’ fleet, is the star of the show. This plane will have two types of fuel on board: 100% SAF and regular jet fuel. During the tests, NASA’s DC-8 Airborne Science Lab will fly behind the Boeing jet to measure the emissions and contrail ice particles from each type of fuel. Even NASA satellites are getting in on the action, capturing images of the contrails as they form.
The project is getting support from all over. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is chipping in with funding through the ASCENT Center of Excellence. GE Aerospace is offering technical know-how and money for the project. Even the German Aerospace Center is providing experts and equipment for the tests.
What’s the Big Deal with SAF?
SAF is made from sustainably produced feedstocks and can cut emissions by up to 85% over its life cycle. That’s a huge deal if we’re talking about reducing aviation CO2 in the next 30 years. SAF also makes less soot, which is good news for air quality around airports.
The tests will also look at how SAF impacts contrails. These are the trails of condensation that planes leave behind when they fly through cold, humid air. Some studies suggest that certain contrails can trap heat in the atmosphere, so understanding this is crucial.
What the Partners Are Saying
Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond said, “We are honored to collaborate with NASA, United Airlines, and other valued partners on research that will strengthen the industry’s understanding of the benefits of SAF beyond reducing carbon emissions.”
Rich Wahls, NASA’s mission integration manager for the Sustainable Flight National Partnership, pointed out that flight testing is the best way to understand how SAF affects contrails and climate.
United Chief Sustainability Officer Lauren Riley believes the collaboration can provide a full understanding of what transitioning to SAF can offer beyond just cutting down greenhouse gases.
GE Aerospace Vice President of Engineering Mohamed Ali and Markus Fischer from the German Aerospace Center also expressed their support for the research, highlighting its importance for a more sustainable future of flight.
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