Helicopters First rescue helicopter flies on Sustainable Aviation Fuel

For the first time in the international aviation industry, a rescue helicopter has performed a flight using Sustainable Aviation Fuel. German operator ADAC Luftrettung used an Airbus Helicopters H145 aircraft for the flight.

This achievement is a milestone, as it brings more sustainability to the helicopter industry in particular. Flights on SAF are performed regularly on normal jet aircraft, even by big manufacturers like Airbus or Boeing are using SAF for example on delivery flights.

The H145´s Arriel 2E engines were fuelled with biofuel, which is a type of SAF. The German non-profit organization ADAC then took off from Munich´s Harlaching Clinic in the presence of ADAC, Safran Helicopter Engines, TotalEnergies and Airbus Helicopter representatives.

Together, these companies have been working together in bringing SAF to the helicopter branch. For the future, the partners seek to be a driving force in the decarbonisation of helicopter flight by developing more and more alternatives to conventional fuels.

Dr. Andrea David, CEO of the non-profit ADAC Foundation, said: "For us, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel pilot project is a first big step on the way to a climate-neutral ADAC Foundation and air rescue service, and our contribution as a non-profit organization to achieving the climate protection goals of Germany and Europe."

Over the course of the biofuel premiere, ADAC Luftrettung and Safran Helicopter Engines also signed a long-term agreement on working together with SAF. In the coming years, the blending ratio of biofuel could be raised to 100% and would bring helicopter operations closer to climate-neutrality.

Commenting on the new partnership with ADAC, Franck Saudo, CEO Safran Helicopter Engines, said: "Safran is leading engine industry efforts to reduce helicopter carbon dioxide emissions. Along with this historic first flight, we signed an agreement with ADAC Luftrettung to expand the use of SAF in their Safran-powered helicopter fleet. All Safran engines are certified to operate on up to 50 percent sustainable fuel, including biofuel. Our goal is to reach 100 percent."

Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, added: “Pioneering sustainable aerospace is a clear ambition for Airbus and enabling the use of sustainable aviation fuel is an important milestone for our industry. Today's event is the first step in reinforcing Airbus Helicopters' ambition of having the lowest CO2 emission product range in the world.