{"id":48384,"date":"2023-10-12T19:31:03","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T14:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=48384"},"modified":"2023-10-12T19:31:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T14:01:07","slug":"boeing-nasa-united-airlines-partnership-for-air-to-air-saf-flights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2023\/10\/12\/boeing-nasa-united-airlines-partnership-for-air-to-air-saf-flights\/","title":{"rendered":"Boeing, NASA, and United Airlines Partnership for New Air-to-Air SAF Flights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON-<\/strong> To advance sustainability in aviation, Boeing<\/a> has initiated a collaborative effort with NASA <\/a>and United Airlines (UA)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This partnership is focused on conducting in-flight tests to evaluate the impact of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) <\/a>on contrails, non-carbon emissions, and the overall climate impact throughout the fuel’s life cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Boeing \/ Addison Salzman – https:\/\/doi.org\/10.57700\/1f7s-tn05, CC0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=125847136<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boeing, NASA, and United Partnership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Boeing’s second ecoDemonstrator Explorer, a 737-10 aircraft <\/a>designated for United Airlines, will participate in the testing. It will carry 100% SAF and conventional jet fuel in separate tanks and alternate between them during testing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NASA’s DC-8 Airborne Science Lab will trail behind the commercial jet, measuring emissions from each fuel type and monitoring contrail ice particles. NASA satellites will also capture images of contrail formation as part of the testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The primary goal of these experiments is to understand better how advanced fuels, engine combustor designs, and other technologies can contribute to mitigating atmospheric warming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One specific area of focus is assessing how SAF influences the characteristics of contrails, which are the persistent condensation trails formed when aircraft fly through cold, humid air. While their complete environmental impact is not yet fully understood, some research suggests that certain contrails may contribute to heat trapping in the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

World Energy supplies the SAF for these tests from its facility in Paramount, California. The U.S. also provides support for the project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the ASCENT Center of Excellence, as well as technical expertise and project funding from GE Aerospace. Additionally, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum f\u00fcr Luft- und Raumfahrt or DLR) is contributing experts and instrumentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Safran<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Remarkable Cabon Emissions Reduction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The project represents the latest stage in a long-term collaboration between Boeing and NASA aimed at evaluating the environmental benefits of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAF is produced from various sustainably sourced feedstocks and can reduce emissions by up to 85% over its life cycle when compared to traditional jet fuel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has the potential to be the most effective way of reducing aviation-related CO2 emissions over the next three decades. SAF also generates fewer soot particles, which can contribute to improved air quality near airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In air-to-air testing, NASA\u2019s DC-8 Airborne Science Lab will fly behind the Boeing ecoDemonstrator Explorer to measure emissions and contrail ice particles. (Image: NASA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Key Partners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are the statements from the key partners involved in the testing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n