DRF Luftrettung has collaborated with Airbus Helicopters and Safran Helicopter Engines to investigate the effects of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on the Airbus H135 helicopter type. The six-month test period, which started on 21 February, will trial a 65:35 blend of JET-A1 kerosene and alternative fuel in the air rescue operator’s red-and-white Magdeburg H135 helicopter.
The investigation will involve regular and thorough examination of the engines and document technical data by DRF Luftrettung, which will then be evaluated by Safran and Airbus.
Dr Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung, said that for DRF Luftrettung, sustainability is its responsibility: “The careful use of the resources available is very important to us so that all people can live a good and healthy life today and in the future. By testing bio-kerosene at our Magdeburg HEMS base, we are committed to reducing CO2 emissions in air rescue – an initial, albeit small, step towards climate-neutral flight in the long term.”
Speaking about the impact of the testing on its operations, Pracz added that “nothing will change” and the HEMS operator will “continue to be reliable and of the usual high quality for the people in the Magdeburg region”.
SAF is not yet widely available across Germany, due to the time-consuming production of SAF, as well as the significantly higher costs than conventional kerosene, said Achim Vogel, Head of Central Purchasing and Logistics, DRF Luftrettung, who added that “the project illustrates DRF Luftrettung’s sustainability efforts in purchasing and the supply chain.”
