Pratt & Whitney and Embraer have successfully completed a test flight of a GTF-powered E195-E2 with one engine running on 100 percent SAF. The test validated that GTF engines and the E-Jets E2 Family can fly on SAF without compromising safety or performance.
On Thursday (June 30, 2022), Pratt & Whitney announced that in partnership with Embraer they have successfully completed a test flight of a GTF-powered E195-E2 with one engine operating on 100 percent SAF. The test validated that GTF engines and the E-Jets E2 Family of aircraft can fly on both engines with blends of up to 100 percent SAF without compromising safety or performance. The aircraft completed two days of ground testing at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), culminating in a 70-minute test flight at Vero Beach Regional Airport.
In Thursday’s announcement, Embraer Commercial Aviation’s Vice President – Strategy and Sustainability, Rodrigo Silva e Souza, said,
“The E2 is already the most efficient single aisle aircraft flying today, saving up to 25% CO2 emissions compared to previous generation aircraft. This reduction in emissions can be increased up to an impressive 85% with 100% SAF. Replacement of older aircraft by new generation products and scaling up SAF production are the two most effective actions commercial aviation can take now to achieve a significant reduction in emissions. Embraer and Pratt & Whitney are leading the industry with products that are more efficient for our customers and more sustainable for our society. This test demonstrates that the E2 is ready for 100% SAF certification and operation once the industry finalizes standards.”
Also commenting on the milestone test flight, Pratt & Whitney’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Graham Webb, added,
“SAF is a core part of our sustainability road map, and we continue to work with industry partners and regulators to support the development of a drop-in standard for 100% SAF. This test proves that GTF engines can operate on any fuel, and that the E-Jets E2 family is ready for 100% SAF certification once the industry finalizes the standard for unblended SAF.”
All Pratt & Whitney engines and Embraer aircraft are currently certified to operate on up to 50 percent SAF blended with standard Jet A/A1 kerosene. Future specifications will enable blends of up to 100 percent SAF. The fuel used for the flight test was acquired from World Energy and was 100 percent Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (HEFA-SPK).
The Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine is the only geared propulsion system delivering industry-leading sustainability benefits, mature dispatch reliability and world-class operating costs. It is the exclusive powerplant of the Embraer E-Jets E2 family and offers a fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduction of up to 25 percent per seat, a reduction of NOx emissions by 50 percent versus ICAO CAEP/6 emissions regulations and a 75 percent smaller noise footprint compared to prior generation aircraft.
A division of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), Pratt & Whitney is a global leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) for commercial, military, regional, business and general aviation aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is known for their innovative technologies such as the Geared Turbofan (GTF) commercial aircraft engine and the PW800 business jet engine.
Source: Pratt & Whitney