Fuel
Helicopter SAF Trials Show Reduced Soot Emissions
Emergency medical operator ADAC partnered with aerospace research group DLR
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Researchers from the DLR agency measured emissions from the engines of ADAC’s helicopters while they were run on a 38% blend of sustainable aviation fuel. © ADAC Luftrettung

Germany’s DLR aerospace research agency and air rescue operator ADAC Luftrettung have completed a study on the use of a bio-kerosene for emergency medical flights. In a report published last week, the partners said that 1,800 hours of flight trials using a pair of ADAC’s helicopters showed a significant reduction in ultrafine particles (UFPs), also referred to as soot.

During the trials, ADAC’s Airbus EC145s were run on a fuel mix that included 38% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from recycled vegetable or animal fats, including used cooking oil. Researchers from DLR’s Institute of Combustion Technology conducted six ground-based measurement exercises, focused on measuring emissions of UFPs and also carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.