Leonardo and Pratt & Whitney Canada today declared the triumphant conclusion of the inaugural flight for an AW139 intermediate twin helicopter, fueled by PT6C-67C engines, utilizing 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This was successfully conducted at Leonardo’s facility in Cascina Costa di Samarate (Italy) on 21 November, featuring a 75-minute flight and ground assessments that evaluated engine efficiency with various power adjustments and additional systems. The trial demonstrated an exceptional reaction to the novel fuel with no substantial differences compared to traditional Jet A1 fuel usage.
This achievement signifies a groundbreaking milestone for both Leonardo’s helicopters and the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine series. Earlier this year, operational AW139 helicopters executed flights with SAF mixed with conventional jet fuel under the prevailing certification regulations, in Japan, Malaysia, and most recently, the UAE. All major civil-certified variants within Leonardo’s helicopter portfolio are authorized for operations employing SAF with a blend ratio of up to 50%.
The 100% SAF demonstration flight of the AW139 further validates the exceptional design and functionality of the aircraft and its systems, establishing itself as the leading helicopter in its category with an unparalleled and expanding influence. With over 1,100 AW139s operational globally and nearly 4 million flight hours recorded to date, this achievement illustrates another significant advantage of the aircraft’s capabilities for the numerous operators conducting missions across diverse weather and environmental conditions as they strive for more ambitious sustainability objectives.
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, stated, “With this latest achievement, we are illustrating how we can facilitate the swift advancement of sustainability demands in aviation, as the industry seeks increased deployment of SAF in operations. We achieved this with the top-tier AW139, affirming that this technology enables more eco-friendly operations while maintaining the same high-performance standards, significantly aiding in the reduction of CO2 emissions. We’re dedicated to collaborating with aviation partners and suppliers, regulatory bodies, energy innovators, and rotorcraft service providers to promote the utilization of SAF for diminishing carbon footprints.”
“This inaugural flight effectively showcases engine performance functionality and is a crucial aspect of our enduring initiatives to back the development of future standards for 100% SAF, a vital component of our sustainable propulsion strategy,” commented Maria Della Posta, President of Pratt & Whitney Canada. “This marks the first occasion a PT6 engine has operated utilizing 100% SAF. This landmark builds upon its exceptional legacy of success and emphasizes how the engine lineup can play a role in fostering a more sustainable future within aviation. Since its market debut 60 years ago, the PT6 engine family has amassed over 500 million flight hours, with 8.3 million attributed to PT6C turboshaft engines.”
