Year 2023 – Business Jets Sustainability Landmarks

BOMBARDIER

Commitment to Cover Totality of Flight Operations with SAF. Bombardier reaffirmed its commitment to cover all its operational flights with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), utilising the Book-and-Claim system. Operational flights are part of Bombardier’s regular activities, and notably include production testing, certification flights, transiting Global aircrafts from Toronto to Montréal to perform the completion stages, customer demonstration flights, new aircraft platforms certifications and after-service check flights. By using a blend with 30 per cent of pure sustainable aviation fuel, Bombardier anticipates to reduce its annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (scope 1) from fuel use in its flight operations by approximately 20-25 per cent. Bombardier’s 2025 objective is aligned with the business aviation industry’s goal of achieving a net-zero emissions by 2050.

Ramps Up EcoJet Project. Bombardier unveiled its EcoJet research project’s second test phase to the attendees of NBAABACE 2023. The company continues its industry-defining work in sustainable aviation by ramping up the second phase of testing on the EcoJet research project by flying an 18-foot-wide test vehicle designed as a blended wing body (BWB) aircraft to reduce business jets emission by up to 50 per cent through a combination of aerodynamic, propulsion and other enhancements. EcoJet is a sustainability-focused research and technology initiative which started 15 years ago. This project has successfully materialised into a family of Blended Wing Body (BWB) test vehicles, with flight tests being conducted to develop and mature relevant technologies, bound to be applied to more sustainable, future business aircraft.

DASSAULT AVIATION

FalconWays— A Route Optimisation Tool to Reduce Carbon Emissions. Dassault Aviation has unveiled a new flight planning tool that allows Falcon pilots to select the most fuel efficient route and reduce excess fuel carried using updated global wind data, optimisation and performance model-specific algorithms. The new tool, FalconWays, will be offered as a flight app on Dassault’s FalconSphere iPad electronic flightbag and is compatible with Jeppesen and Universal flight planning tools. During actual flights using FalconWays, crews were able to reduce fuel consumption up to seven percent. The company will first roll out FalconWays on the new Falcon 6X extra widebody twinjet, set to enter service in the coming weeks. The app will be available on the Falcon 8X early next year, on the 7X before the end of 2024 and Falcon 2000LXS/S by early 2025.

EMBRAER

EMBRAER’S PHENOM 300E AND PRAETOR 600 HAVE COMPLETED 100 PER CENT SAF FLIGHT TESTS

Phenom 300E and Praetor 600 Complete 100 per cent SAF Flight Tests. Embraer announced it has successfully tested the Phenom 300E and Praetor 600 on 100 per cent neat sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The tests, with one engine running on 100 per cent SAF, were performed at Embraer’s Melbourne facility and provided significant insight into systems’ performance when utilising blends up to 100 per cent SAF, which was provided by World Fuel. The tests had collaboration of the engine and fuel system suppliers Honeywell Aerospace, Parker, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Safran. Currently, all Embraer aircraft are approved to use a blend of up to 50 per cent of SAF mixed with conventional Jet Fuel, based on ASTM International specifications. Embraer’s commitment to sustainability is a core part of its business strategy, and the company is continuously exploring new ways to reduce its environmental impact.

GULFSTREAM

World’s First Trans-Atlantic Flight on 100 per cent SAF. Gulfstream Aerospace announced the successful completion of the world’s first trans-Atlantic flight using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Accomplished on November 19, the flight took place on a Gulfstream G600 aircraft, which departed the company’s headquarters in Savannah and landed 6 hours, 56 minutes later at Farnborough Airport in England. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PW815GA engines, both using 100 per cent SAF, this mission showcases the potential for aviation’s future use of renewable fuels, which feature lower carbon, sulfur and aromatics. The data collected from this endurance flight will help Gulfstream and its key suppliers gauge aircraft compatibility with future low-aromatic renewable fuels, particularly under cold temperatures for extended flight durations.

G700 Sets Speed Record from Savannah to Tokyo on SAF. The all-new Gulfstream G700 set a speed record using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), travelling from Savannah to Tokyo at an average speed of Mach 0.89. The flight, recorded at 13 hours, marked the G700’s first visit to Japan. This record was achieved as the company recently reached a milestone of more than 2 million nautical miles flown on SAF blends. Gulfstream was the first business aircraft manufacturer to sign the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow 2030 Ambition Statement, a declaration of intent to accelerate the supply and use of SAF technologies to reach 10 per cent of global jet aviation fuel supply by 2030. The company was also the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to fly on 100 per cent SAF in December 2022. The flight took place on a Gulfstream G650 in partnership with Rolls-Royce on the BR725 engine.

HONDA AIRCRAFT COMPANY

Technologies for Reducing Carbon Emissions. Honda Aircraft Company presented the technological innovations that the HondaJet uses to achieve exceptional fuel efficiency. These include the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) nose and wing, and composite fuselage. Honda Aircraft Company’s disruptive designs and technologies place it at the forefront of the aviation industry’s efforts to lower carbon emissions. The HondaJet Elite II saves nearly 8,000 gallons of fuel and reduces approximately 1,72,000 pounds of CO₂ emissions yearly, making it one of the most environmentally responsible aircraft in its class.

TEXTRON AVIATION

New Sustainableadvantage Carbon Offset Program. Textron Aviation announced a new ProAdvantage program, SustainableAdvantage, to provide owners with an additional option for reducing their carbon dioxide emissions from operating aircraft. In collaboration with 4AIR, the programme is to launch in January 2024 and is available to eligible customers who own and operate Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker turbine aircraft worldwide. SustainableAdvantage will offer owners the option to offset their footprint 100 per cent with 4AIR’s Bronze Level. Carbon offsets reduce emissions elsewhere which can be claimed against the carbon footprint from operating aircraft.

Global Service Network Re-Certifies Under NATA. Textron Aviation announced its 20 company-owned service centers received recertification from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) as a Green Aviation Business. The recognition is part of NATA’s Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses programme encouraging environmental sustainability within the industry. Five company-owned service centers achieved Tier 1 status and 15 achieved base-level certifications. To achieve base level certification, facilities must establish a baseline carbon footprint and work to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with ground support equipment. Facilities also must offer recycling, implement paperless systems as appropriate, begin installing LED lighting and reduce plastic water bottle use.