Alternative fuels Sustainable Aviation Fuel and More
Fuel flexibility in future
engine designs
GE Aerospace is actively involved in assessing and qualifying Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). All GE Aerospace engines can operate on approved SAF blends today. We also support industry initiatives for the approval and adoption of 100% or unblended SAF and are advancing hydrogen combustion technologies.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
GE Aerospace has been actively involved in assessing and qualifying SAF since 2006 and works closely with SAF producers, regulators, and operators to ensure that SAF can be widely adopted for use in aviation.
SAF is jet fuel made from alternative sources and processes than those for fossil based fuels, and can be made from plant-based material, fats, oils and greases, alcohols, waste streams, captured CO2, and other alternative feedstocks. The use of renewable feedstocks and processes reduces net CO2 emissions over the entire lifecycle of SAF compared to fossil-based fuels.
Currently, SAF approved for use is a blend of up to 50% with petroleum-based Jet A or Jet A-1 fuel.
SAF is jet fuel made from alternative sources and processes than those for fossil based fuels, and can be made from plant-based material, fats, oils and greases, alcohols, waste streams, captured CO2, and other alternative feedstocks. The use of renewable feedstocks and processes reduces net CO2 emissions over the entire lifecycle of SAF compared to fossil-based fuels.
Currently, SAF approved for use is a blend of up to 50% with petroleum-based Jet A or Jet A-1 fuel.
Advancing SAF
All GE Aerospace jet engines can operate on approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends today. We are helping lead the industry to develop SAF that doesn’t require blending with conventional jet fuel. Developed with economic, social and environmental considerations, SAF is made from non-petroleum based sources.
Our extensive SAF testing and demonstration efforts include the following industry firsts:
SAF testing
2008
2010
2011
2016
2018
2021
First SAF commercial demonstration flight powered by CF6 engines
First SAF helicopter flight powered by T700 engines
First SAF commercial revenue flight powered by CFM56 engines.
First SAF transatlantic flight of a large freight commercial airplane in 2011 powered by GEnx engines
First SAF transatlantic flight of a large freight commercial airplane in 2011 powered by GEnx engines
First military jet flight using 100% SAF powered by F414 engines
First commercial airliner flight using 100% non drop-in SAF powered by GE90 engines
First powered to-liquid (PtL) SAF commercial flight powered by CFM56 engines
First SAF flight for the commercial Sikorsky S-92 helicopter in 2021 powered by CT7 engines
Experimental passenger flight using 100% drop-in SAF in one of the two engines powered by CFM LEAP engines
First SAF flight for the commercial Sikorsky S-92 helicopter in 2021 powered by CT7 engines
Experimental passenger flight using 100% drop-in SAF in one of the two engines powered by CFM LEAP engines
What is drop-in SAF
Drop-in SAF means the fuel meets current petroleum-based jet fuel requirements and can be substituted for jet fuel without any modifications to engines and airframes, and is therefore compatible with the existing commercial fleet, as well as with other parts of the fuel distribution and storage infrastructure. Drop-in 100% SAF is not yet qualified by ASTM International, an organization that develops technical standards.
Hydrogen combustion
demonstration
CFM International, a 50-50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, continues to advance hydrogen combustion technologies with engineers working to modify the combustor, fuel system, and control system of a GE Aerospace Passport turbofan so that it can run on liquid hydrogen.