Aircraft
Rolls-Royce Flies Trent 1000 on 100 percent SAF
In collaboration with Boeing and World Energy, Rolls-Royce flew a Trent 1000 on a 747 testbed with unblended sustainable aviation fuel.
Rolls-Royce's Boeing 747 testbed takes off from Tuscon, Arizona, powered by a Trent 1000 turbofan burning 100 percent SAF. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)
Rolls-Royce's Boeing 747 testbed takes off from Tuscon, Arizona, powered by a Trent 1000 turbofan burning 100 percent SAF. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

Rolls-Royce has carried out a successful test flight of its 747 flying testbed aircraft using 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in a Trent 1000 turbofan, the engine company said Tuesday. The aircraft flew from Tucson International Airport in Arizona, passing over New Mexico and Texas, carrying a Trent 1000 engine running on unblended SAF while the remaining three RB211 engines ran on standard jet fuel, arriving back in Tucson three hours and 54 minutes later. Partnering with Boeing and SAF producer World Energy, Rolls Royce reported that the tests showed no “initial indications” of engineering issues.