Propulsion joint venture GE Honda Aero Engines (GHAE) has completed ground testing of its HF120 turbofan for the HondaJet using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Trials were conducted at GE Aviation’s Peebles, Ohio test facility using HEFA-SPK – a fuel made from cooking oil, waste fats and greases.
Results were “very favourable”, says the manufacturer, “with engine performance equivalent to Jet A fuel during the SAF run.”
Currently, the HF120 can run on blends of up to 50% SAF.
“As our testing shows, the HF120 engine can operate on approved SAF today and in the future. Our customers can be confident that the HF120 engine can help them meet their sustainability goals to reduce CO2 emissions in flight,” says Melvyn Heard, president of GHAE.
Dominic Perry is deputy editor of Flight International but also contributes extensively to flightglobal.com. Although specialising in the coverage of the helicopter industry, he has written on most topics in aerospace – be they commercial, defence or business aviation. In addition, there has been an increasing focus on the decarbonisation of the industry and zero-emission flight initiatives.View full Profile
