State Grid Space Technology (SGST) has successfully completed a flight demonstration at Hefei Shiwan Airport in China, with an Airbus H125 helicopter using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
This is the first helicopter flight using SAF in China. The Safran ARRIEL 2D-powered H125 flew at a hybrid ratio of 40% of SAF provided by CNAF (China National Aviation Fuel).
“The success of this flight is of great significance to stimulate SAF promotion and its application,” said Du Guihe, Board Chairman of SGST. “It makes a positive impact on the enterprises which are proactive on low-carbon general aviation development. It is also a breakthrough for China’s general aviation industry to better implement carbon emission reduction in the post-pandemic era.”
“I am proud that our customer, SGST, launched this noteworthy SAF flight with the H125, marking Airbus Helicopters as the first helicopter manufacturer to perform a SAF flight in China,” said Colin James, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in China.” “The take-off of SAF-powered helicopters in China once again illustrates the achievements of Safran Helicopter Engines in terms of innovation and SAF application. We have a full engine portfolio certified to operate on up to 50% of SAF,” said Marc Delort, General Manager of Safran Helicopter Engines China.
The event took place a few weeks after Airbus and the CNAF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to intensify Chinese-European cooperation on the production, competitive application and common standards formulation for SAF during the French state visit to China. This cooperation agreement between Airbus and CNAF aims to optimise the SAF supply chain by diversifying the sources and enhancing SAF production towards the ambition of using 10% SAF by 2030. The use of SAF is one of Airbus Helicopters’ levers to contribute to ATAG’s Scenario 3 outlook to net-zero in 2050.
