RAF makes World's first flight using synthetic fuel

News & Press: Aviation

RAF makes World's first flight using synthetic fuel

18 November 2021 (0 Comments)

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On 2 November an Ikarus C42 microlight aircraft completed a short flight powered by synthetic gasoline at Cotswold Airport (ex-RAF Kemble).

The "UL91" fuel, from Zero Petroleum, is manufactured by extracting hydrogen from water and carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide, using energy generated from renewable sources like wind or solar. The two are combined to create the synthetic fuel.

The fuel supplier explains that ZERO SynAvGas was developed in just 5 months and ran successfully in the aircraft as a whole-blend without any modification whatsoever to the aircraft or engine. The engine manufacturer Rotax’s measurements and the test-pilot’s observations showed no difference in power or general performance compared to standard fossil fuel.

This innovation is part of the RAF’s "Project MARTIN" and has the potential to save 80-90% of carbon per flight, supporting the RAF’s vision that synthetic fuels will have a major role in powering the fast-jets of the future.

The flight has just been awarded a Guinness World Record and the Chief of the Air Staff has stated: "I am determined to tackle this head-on and have set the Royal Air Force the ambitious goal to be Net Zero by 2040." Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin, added: “This is a world first ‘innovation’. It shows the determination of UK Armed Forces to drive forward creative ideas on Net Zero alongside meeting operational commitments.”

Image and further information from JOINT-FORCES.com