UK-based industrial technology group and renowned aeroengine manufacturer Rolls-Royce announced on Tuesday that it had successfully test flown one of its Trent 1000 turbofan engines, using only 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The test flight was conducted in the US, with the assistance of leading airframer Boeing and green energy company World Energy.

The Trent engine was fitted to Rolls-Royce’s own Boeing 747 flying test bed aircraft. The other three engines mounted on the aircraft were Rolls-Royce RB211s, which used conventional jet fuel. Boeing assisted with technical assistance and oversight regarding the modifications required for the flight test, as well as with aircraft systems assurance. US enterprise World Energy, which is the world’s first (and the only US) commercial scale SAF producer, provided the fuel.

The test flight lasted three hours and 54 minutes. The test bed 747 took off from Tucson in the US state of Arizona, and flew over New Mexico and Texas before returning to and landing at Tucson. The Trent 1000 operated using only 100% SAF. The first reports are that no engineering issues were encountered during the flight. Rolls-Royce has already carried out successful 100% SAF tests, on the ground and in the air, with its Trent XWB and Pearl engines.

This test is a further step to ensuring that all models of the Trent will be able to be run using 100% SAF by 2023, an objective the group confirmed last week. Currently, aviation authorities around the world only allow airliners to fly using blends of up to 50% SAF, not more. Rolls-Royce is one of the aerospace companies supporting the certification for commercial flights of 100% SAF.

“We believe in air travel as a force for cultural good, but we also recognise the need to take action to decarbonise our industry,” affirmed Rolls-Royce director: product development and technology – aerospace Simon Burr. “This flight is another example of collaboration across the value chain to make sure all the aircraft technology solutions are in place to enable a smooth introduction of 100% SAF into our industry.”

“It is an honour to partner with Rolls-Royce and World Energy on this 100% SAF flight,” enthused Boeing VP of Environmental Sustainability Sheila Remes. “Its success further illustrates that SAF can fully replace conventional jet fuel over the long term and is a viable renewable energy solution to decarbonise aviation over the next 20 [to] 30 years.”

[W]e’re grateful for the trailblazing work our partners are doing,” stated World Energy CEO Gene Gebolys. “Rolls-Royce’s work to prove the viability of powering the jet engines they make with the 100% renewable SAF we make lays the groundwork for fossil fuel-free flight. This work is incredibly important, and we applaud and appreciate Rolls-Royce for working with us to do it.”