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Read this story in our January 2020 printed issue.
Gulfstream's Savannah-based fleet has now flown more than one million nautical miles on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Since March 2016, Gulfstream has used SAF for its corporate, demonstration, customer support and flight test fleets. The company has made more than 550 flights with the blended fuel and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1,300 metric tons.
“We take our role as an industry leader in environmental sustainability very seriously, so this is a milestone we're extremely proud of,” says company president Mark Burns. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and helping our industry achieve its sustainability goals. The widespread use of SAF is critical to meeting those goals.”
Gulfstream's sustainability strategy helps support the business aviation industry goals established by the National Business Aviation Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the International Business Aviation Council. The goals are a 50 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 relative to 2005 levels; a two percent improvement in fuel-efficiency per year from 2010 to 2020; and carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onward.
Gulfstream uses a blend of 30 per cent low-carbon, drop-in fuel derived from agricultural waste and 70 per cent traditional Jet A. SAF provides the same performance as conventional, petroleum-based jet fuel and requires no changes to factory-standard engines or aircraft. Every gallon used by Gulfstream's Savannah-based fleet is said to save at least 60 per cent in carbon dioxide emissions on a life-cycle basis versus petroleum-based jet fuel.
The renewable fuel used by Gulfstream is produced by World Energy at its refinery in Paramount, California. Fuel and aviation services provider World Fuel Services manages the logistics, including distribution of the fuel to Gulfstream on both US coasts.
“Our collaboration with World Energy and World Fuel Services has been critical in our drive toward sustainability,” Burns explains. “Both companies are valued partners and play an important role in helping our industry achieve its carbon-reduction goals.”
In addition to using SAF at its Savannah headquarters, Gulfstream has SAF available for customers at its Long Beach and Van Nuys facilities in southern California. Gulfstream Long Beach also uses SAF for all completions and delivery flights.
