Alternative Fuel Tests for Aviation in Progress by NASA and Partners

Recognizing that fossil fuels are an issue in the future of aviation, as well as other aspects of transportation and energy, NASA is looking for alternative fuels for aircraft. This week the agency announced that it has entered into separate agreements with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to conduct a series of joint flight tests to study the atmospheric effects of emissions from jet engines burning alternative fuels.

As part of the program, tests flights as part of the Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions (ACCESS II) program are scheduled starting on May 7. The test flight for alternative aviation fuel research will be flown from NASA’s newly renamed Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

NASA will use a variety of research aircraft for the program including the space agency’s DC-8 and HU-25C Guardian. DLR will fly their Falcon 20-E5 and NRC will be operating a CT-133 research aircraft.

During the flight tests, NASA’s DC-8 will utilize a variety of experimental fuel blends, while trailing behind, the Falcon and the CT-133 will measure the exhaust emissions and observe contrail formation.

“Partnering with our German and Canadian colleagues allows us to combine our expertise and resources as we work together to solve the challenges common to the global aviation community such as understanding emission characteristics from the use of alternative fuels which presents a great potential for significant reductions in harmful emissions,” said Jaiwon Shin, NASA’s associate administrator for aeronautics research.

According to the NASA press release, “ACCESS II is the latest in a series of ground and flight tests begun in 2009 to study emissions and contrail formation from new blends of aviation fuels that include biofuel from renewable sources. ACCESS-I testing, conducted in 2013, indicated the biofuel blends tested may substantially reduce emissions of black carbon, sulfates, and organics. ACCESS II will gather additional data, with an emphasis on studying contrail formation.”

Alternative fuel test programs like these are helping to pave the way for the future of private and commercial air travel. Once the impacts of alternative fuel use in aviation are better understood, it could help lead to more widespread use, and ultimately help the alternative fuels become more cost competitive with conventional jet fuels.