Pratt & Whitney Canada conducts 100% SAF flight test with Braathens and ATR

Pratt & Whitney Canada has performed a successful flight test of dual PW127M engines with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a Braathens Regional Airlines’ ATR 72-600 aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney Canada says both PW127M engines were fuelled exclusively with Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel and flew for two hours in total. The flight between Malmo and Bromma Airports was a collaborative effort involving Braathens, ATR and Pratt & Whitney Canada.

“We are extremely pleased with the successful testing of our PW127M engines on 100% SAF,” said Timothy Swail, Vice President, Regional Aviation and APU Product Marketing and Sales for Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We have worked closely with ATR and Braathens leading up to the flight testing and share their enthusiasm over the future application of SAF in the aviation industry.”

ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli, said: “Today is a historic day for aviation. After more than a century of commercial flights powered by kerosene, we are at the dawn of a new era. In recent months, with the support of Pratt & Whitney Canada we carried out a series of successful flights with sustainable fuel in one engine. We now decided it was time to perform the first test flight with 100% SAF in both engines. This helps us to certify our aircraft to fly solely on sustainable fuels faster and to enable more sustainable air links as a result.

“The flight represents a true milestone for the entire aviation industry as it shows that this technology works and can be promptly adopted by many in our industry to speed up the transition to zero emission aviation.”

Pratt & Whitney Canada says its engines have been 50% SAF compatible since the late 2000s. The company’s family of regional turboprop engines consume up to 40% less fuel and emit 40% fewer emissions than similar-sized jet-power aircraft on similar routes.