Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuel Used to Power Fleet for Fly-In to Increase Awareness of Carbon-Neutral Aviation Growth (Credit: RobbReport.com)

Image Courtesy: Gulfstream

DISCUSSION: The European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) holds an annual 3-day event, for those in the industry bringing together “business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel, avionics firms, fractional providers, and charter/lease companies,” according to EBACE. In addition to the exhibitors showcase, static displays, various networking events, educational sessions, EBACE is also one of the most favorable opportunities to preview advancements in the aviation industry. 2019 proved to be a year to further expose its attendees to sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF).
 
The 2019 event, occurring May 21-23 in Geneva brought a record 23 aircraft participating in “an industry wide, sustainable alternative-fueled fly-in,” according to David Coleal, president of Bombardier Aviation and chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Environment Committee. Gulfstream along with Bombardier and other OEM members of the Industry Coalition on Sustainable Alternative Fuel. Gulfstream taking on a huge stake in flying in the G650ER, G600, G550 and G280, additionally having led the industry by having begun usage of its own SAJF as early as 2015.
 
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicates the heavy use of commercial aviation in addition to rising fuel costs, seeking alternative fuels which could help alleviate some of those issues. “Their use could reduce emissions that impact surface air quality and global climate while expanding domestic energy sources that diversify fuel supplies, contribute to price and supply stability, and generate economic development in rural communities. The FAA is working to enable the US use of one billion gallons per year of “drop-in” sustainable alternative jet fuels by 2018.”
 
According to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuel is, “a general term used to describe the class of non-petroleum-based jet fuels (or blended components) that are being pursued by the industry to: reduce net life-cycle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, enhance the sustainability of aviation, and enable drop-in jet fuel production (a means by which no changes are needed for aircraft or engine fuel systems, distribution of storage facilities).” Some components of SAJF include industrial waste, cooking oils and CO2 emissions.
 
While Gulfstream has been taking the lead to use SAJF for several years now, it has safely flown on SAJF for close to one million miles, saving an estimated 870 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Business aviation has continued to push the envelope to look for increasingly sustainable fuel options, and opting to play a vital role in the reduction of carbon emissions. The Air Transport Action Group estimates worldwide that 859 million tons of CO2 in 2017 came from flights, while globally humans produced over 40 billion tons. Moreover, the aviation industry produces around 12% of CO2 emission from all transport sources.
 
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© 2019 Meteorologist Jessica Olsen
 
 


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Referenced:
 
2019. (n.d.). Retrieved July 23, 2019, from https://ebace.aero/2019/
 
Cutler, D. (2019, July 23). 23 Jets Just Flew Into One of Aviation's Biggest Conventions Using Fuel Made From City Waste and Cooking Oil. Retrieved July 23, 2019, from https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/aviation-sustainable-alternative-jet-fuel-2858814/
 
Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuels. (2014, June 04). Retrieved July 23, 2019, from https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/research/alternative_fuels/