Safran Helicopter Engines Embraces Biofuels for a Sustainable Future

In a groundbreaking achievement, Safran Helicopter Engines has successfully operated an Arrano engine utilizing 38% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its Bordes facility in southwestern France. This eco-friendly fuel was generated from recycled cooking oil. This ground operation represents a pivotal milestone in a plan to implement SAF in engine testing facilities across all Safran Helicopter Engines sites. By year’s end, the manufacturer aims to incorporate a minimum of 10% SAF across all its French locations.

This landmark achievement follows closely after Safran Helicopter Engines celebrated the inaugural flight of a rescue helicopter powered by biofuel. An Airbus H145 operated by ADAC Luftrettung utilized its dual Arriel 2E engines fueled with a blend of 40% biofuel and traditional Jet-A1. Safran Helicopter Engines and ADAC have committed to ongoing research on biofuel effectiveness with a helicopter stationed in Cologne. Concurrently, the manufacturer is set to perform comparable tests with various helicopter operators.

Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines, stated, “Mitigating CO2 emissions is a shared obligation embraced by the dedicated teams at Safran. By integrating SAF, particularly biofuel, into helicopter operations and our facilities, we are effectively decreasing CO2 emissions at both levels. I take pride that once again, Safran is at the forefront of aviation decarbonization.”

Safran engines are currently fully certified to function on up to 50% sustainable fuel, including biofuel. The manufacturer’s goal is to achieve full biofuel certification by 2023. Emitting significantly lower carbon levels throughout their complete lifecycle, these fuels have the potential to diminish aviation CO2 emissions by as much as 80%.