Airbus Tests First 100 Percent Sustainable Fuel–Powered Helicopter

An Airbus H225 recently performed the first-ever helicopter flight using 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in both of its Safran Makila 2 engines. This flight, which follows an H225 flight with one engine burning neat SAF in November, is part of Airbus Helicopters’s test campaign aimed at understanding the impact of SAF use on the helicopter's systems.

Over the next two years, tests are expected to continue on other Airbus helicopter types with different fuel and engine architectures. The aim is to certify the use of 100 percent SAF in Airbus airplanes and rotorcraft by 2030, the company said.

Use of 100 percent SAF is one of the pathways that Airbus is employing to reduce CO2 emissions from its helicopters by 50 percent by 2030. Currently, all Airbus aircraft are certified to fly with up to a 50 percent SAF blend.