SAVANNAH, Ga. - Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. in Savannah, Ga. announced it has completed ground emissions testing on the new Gulfstream G700 aircraft using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a fuel containing no sulfur. The G700, powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, was tested on various fuel types, including a 30/70 SAF blend and pure SAF, to assess how these fuels affect the climate impact of business aviation.
The weeklong emissions tests, conducted at Gulfstream’s facility in Savannah, used SAF supplied by World Energy and shipped by World Fuel Services. Emissions were monitored with equipment provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NASA, Aerodyne Research, and Missouri University of Science and Technology. The primary goal of the testing was to understand the environmental impact of different fuels, with a specific focus on sulfur-free 100% neat SAF, which is free from aromatics and other fossil-based elements.
Preliminary data suggests the SAF tested had negligible sulfur contamination and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, indicating a potential to improve air quality near airports and to minimize condensation trail formation. According to Gulfstream, this research will contribute valuable insights for the industry’s shift toward more sustainable fuel options.
Related: Gulfstream's G700 earns FAA certification
"Gulfstream has a rich history of innovating for sustainable aviation dating back to 2004 with the first ISO certification for our Savannah facility," said Gulfstream President Mark Burns. "Our journey continues today as we work to enhance our understanding of fuel properties and their environmental characteristics to assess business aviation’s impact on the climate, chart the path forward in decreasing that impact, and lead the industry in driving its sustainable aviation goals."
"We’d like to extend a big thank you to our partners — the FAA, NASA, Aerodyne Research, Missouri S&T, Rolls-Royce, World Energy, and World Fuel Services — without which none of this research could have been possible," Burns added. "These partners are key to our ongoing success and the success of the entire industry in continuing to innovate and drive positive environmental change for business aviation."
