Contrails, SAF, and Environmental Concerns

While for many years the focus of aviation emissions has been carbon

, there are additional outputs from jet engines, including chemicals that form contrails, that have recently been shown to be harmful. Nitrous oxide (NOx) and other particulates all contribute to the overall environmental performance of aircraft. How to fix it is another question, as first we need to measure what is being produced, and then determine whether SAF could be a solution not only for reducing carbon but also for reducing persistent contrails.

Researching Emissions and Contrails

Gulfstream and Rolls-Royce have jointly just completed a high-altitude flight test campaign to research contrail reduction using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). During flight testing, a Gulfstream G800 powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines demonstrated the potential to reduce particulate emissions that form contrails when operating on 100% neat SAF.

During the testing campaign, a specially equipped G700 became a flying emissions laboratory, following the G800 in formation flight to measure environmental impacts and contrail formation. Flights were conducted at 50,000 feet, higher than most commercial aircraft but typical for intercontinental business jets.