Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has become the first business aviation company to complete a high-altitude flight test campaign demonstrating the potential for 100 percent neat sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce contrail-forming particle emissions at altitudes up to 50,000 feet.
This marks the first 100 percent SAF flight for the Gulfstream G800 and Pearl 700 engine. The aircraft was paired with a specially modified Gulfstream G700, transformed into a flying emissions measurement laboratory.
The flight test was conducted in collaboration with he Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Center of Excellence (ASCENT), NASA, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Missouri University of Science and Technology, Aerodyne Research, Rolls-Royce, Montana Renewables and World Fuel Services
Operating in close formation, the aircraft enabled researchers to capture precise, real-world measurements of particulate matter and contrail-forming atmospheric characteristics at higher altitudes than flown by most commercial airliners, yet typical for business aviation.
It was designed to isolate how fuel composition influences non-CO2 emissions, an area of increasing focus across science and industry.
Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream, says they are focused on advancing solutions that deliver measurable impact today while shaping a more sustainable future for flight.
“This campaign reflects our strategy to lead with advanced technology, real-world testing and meaningful collaboration to better understand and reduce aviation’s environmental impact.”
Rich Moore, research scientist at NASA, said the collaboration enabled these first-ever high-altitude 100 percent SAF emissions observations, allowing the team to operate safely and efficiently while maintaining the precision needed for accurate data collection.
“This real-world data is essential to improving our models and understanding aviation’s broader environmental impact.”
Julie Marks, executive director of the FAA’s Office of Environment and Energy, stated that partnering Gulfstream was an excellent opportunity that will help inform and quantify our efforts to mitigate the impacts of persistent contrails.
“We appreciate the collaboration with industry as the FAA continues to evaluate how SAF may help reduce persistent contrails.”
The campaign provides valuable data that will be utilized in partnership with the broader aviation and atmospheric science communities. These insights will help refine analytical models, inform future fuel standards and support the development of operational strategies to reduce aviation’s environmental impact.
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