A350 recruited for emissions analysis of wholly-sustainable fuel flights

Airbus and Rolls-Royce are participating in a study to examine in-flight emissions from commercial aircraft powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel. The study involves monitoring emissions from an Airbus A350-900, both on the ground and in the air. Sustainable fuel will be supplied by Neste and the study will include German aerospace research centre DLR. Airbus has already carried out an initial flight check in Toulouse to ensure the fuel is compatible with the A350’s systems and its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. It will commence flight-emissions tests in April. Airbus says a DLR Dassault Falcon 20-E chase aircraft will conduct emissions measurements. Airbus new energy programme manager Steven Le Moing says the collaboration will provide insight into how turbine engines function using 100% sustainable fuel, with a view to certification. “[It will also] identify the potential emissions reductions and environmental benefits of using such fuels in flight on a commercial aircraft,” he adds. The work will be carried out using the initial A350 flight-test aircraft MSN1.<br/>