For the first time, an A380 flew thanks to old cooking oil
An A380 traveled thanks to cooking oil. A waste to be disposed of turned into fuel for the most [...]
An A380 traveled thanks to cooking oil. A waste to be disposed of turned into fuel for the world's largest airliner. For some time now, we have been grappling with the need to develop a system that takes into account both the needs of the environment and the future scarcity of certain exhaustible resources. The oil issue is near the top of the list, surpassed probably by air quality and water waste. How we move has a huge impact, and the fact that a giant aircraft like the A380 was able to fly thanks to some old cooking oil is incredible news. This is not the first experiment to be conducted in this way. In fact, we had already talked about theHydrogen for airliners. All this gives hope for a different future.
Oil-fueled A380: here's how
In this article:
Airbus announced in an official press release the outcome of the experiment conducted with an A380. The first ever flight of this aircraft with a power supply characterized by a 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Most of the substance used in the process was cooking oil, combined with other waste fats.
The aircraft in question is referred to as MSN 1. The Takeoff took place in Blagnac, while the landing in Toulouse. Not a considerable distance, let's be clear, since the two French cities turn out to be just over 6km apart. However, the experiment lasted long enough to make the results exciting. It departed at 8:43 a.m. on Friday, March 25, with the A380 then remaining in the air for about three hours. All thanks to the help of a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine which, as mentioned, used only sustainable waste material as fuel.
Four days later, namely Tuesday, March 29, a second test was carried out. On this occasion, the testing focused mainly on the delicate takeoff and landing phases, notoriously the riskiest of the entire crossing. As mentioned, this was a unique case. Not because Airbus has never conducted this type of testing, but because of the type of aircraft chosen. The A380 was tested with sustainable fuel for the first time, and this is crucial news, since it is the largest vehicle of the three total tested during the calendar year by the airline. In March 2021, a A350, while a A319neo in October last year.
👀 who's the next ✈️ to take off with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel...it's the #A380! After the #A350 and the #A319neo last year, we're so proud to continue our 100% SAF journey with this iconic aircraft that will remain in our skies for decades to come https://t.co/l3WS4fmiJM pic.twitter.com/PShaVbTMLh
- Airbus (@Airbus) March 28, 2022
Sustainable jet fuel: what we know
The first flight that featured the A380 required as much as 27 tons of oil, consisting of Almost entirely from waste fat and cooking oil. An important step in moving closer to achieving zero emissions, which is the common goal of many large companies. The look is to the future, of course. It will have to wait until 2050, and probably a bit beyond that, but the work is underway and looks promising.
Considering how emissions for the aviation industry account for about 2% of global emissions, this kind of experiment is a hand extended to the environment. To date, all Airbus aircraft already have a certification regarding the use of oil mixed with kerosene. The amount can reach a maximum of 50%. The goal is now Reaching 100% by 2030.
- 12,000 Mileage Registration Bonus
- Collect miles WITH EACH PURCHASE
- Your miles with no expiration*
- No fees for ATM withdrawals and foreign purchases
- Without having to change banks
- Autonomous card activation
- Multi-function mobile application
- Free travel insurance
- Free credit for up to 7 weeks
- Contactless Payment
- Mastercard® SecureCode