Aviation

COMAC C919 and ARJ21 completes first SAF Flight

Comac Eyes Saudi Arabian Market to Challenge Western Aircraft Giants

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has successfully completed a demonstration flight, where the C919 and ARJ21 both flew on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the first time.

The two flights departed from Shanghai-Pudong International Airport and Dongying Airport in Shandong Province, demonstrating what COMAC calls ‘good flight performance on Sustainable Aviation Fuel’. Both demonstration flights lasted approximately 1 hour. Both aircrafts were fueled with a 60% No 3 Jet Fuel and a 40% bio-aviation Kerosene developed by Chinese oil company Sinopec.

COMAC's ARJ21 Aircraft being refuelled with SAF for its first flight on SAF

The flights were significant for COMAC, which has been vying to gain a foothold into the highly competitive commercial aircraft market, heavily dominated by the Boeing-Airbus duopoly. Furthermore, most aircrafts which are in service with airlines have been rated to be able to fly on a blend of SAF. These flights would therefore be the first step in the C919 and ARJ21 aircraft’s SAF certification, closing the technological gap between the C919 and the A320/B737 aircraft family.

On a domestic level, this also marks a step in China’s Carbon neutrality goals, with the integration of SAF playing a part in lowering the CO2 emissions, which is one of the goals. In a statement marking this historic moment, COMAC mentioned ‘COMAC has been developing its aircraft with sustainability in mind, so as to develop an environmentally friendly aircraft’.

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

SAF is known as a ‘green fuel’, due to its ability to reduce up to 80% in carbon emissions, relative to the ‘standard’ jet fuels in use today. This is especially important as air travel is projected to increase significantly by approximately 4.3% over the next 20 years, so as to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) can be produced from multiple sources, such as waste oil and fats, green and municipal waste, and non-food crops. SAF could also be produced synthetically by capturing carbon (in the form of gases) from the air.

Aviation

Boeing, Antonov to Collaborate on Defense Projects

– MOU represents Boeing’s commitment to work with Ukrainian industry

– Includes exploring opportunities for collaborating on in-country support of Unmanned Aerial Systems

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Boeing and Antonov Company to investigate potential collaboration on defense-related projects.

“We’re happy to keep collaborating with the Antonov Company to help Ukraine’s economic development and expansion,” stated Ted Colbert, CEO and president of Boeing Defence, Space, & Security.

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“This agreement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to find more opportunities to work with Ukrainian industry, which was underscored by our signing of the Ukrainian Defence Industry Compact earlier this year.”

The areas of potential collaboration identified in the agreement consist of training, logistical support and overhaul services for tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which includes the ScanEagle. In addition, the companies will also explore opportunities for Antonov to provide engineering support to Boeing.

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“A strong, innovative, and efficient defense industry is key to sustainable economic development and national security, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with Boeing,” said Ievhen Gavrylov, CEO of Antonov Company.

This agreement brings a whole new level of opportunity to implement the latest and most effective solutions – in addition to the possibility of future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry.”