Pratt & Whitney endorses industry research that could lead to biojet fuel certification

Pratt & Whitney signed the executive summary released today by Boeing highlighting the positive results of a pioneering industry flight test and research program that should lead to future certification of sustainable biojet fuels. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

The results indicate sustainable sources of bio-derived oils and processing methods can produce a Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (Bio-SPK) jet fuel. Bio-SPK fuel was tested in current commercial aircraft at a blend ratio of up to 50 percent with normal jet fuel (Jet A or Jet A-1).

The flight tests of Bio-SPK fuels were conducted by an industry team. In 2009, Pratt & Whitney, Japan Airlines and Boeing completed a successful flight test of a second-ge

neration biojet fuel on a Pratt & Whitney-powered 747 aircraft. The flight test used a biofuel primarily refined from the sustainable crop, camelina. "The flight test and research program generated valuable data to support certification of Bio-SPK at a 50 percent blend ratio," said Alan Epstein, Pratt & Whitney vice president, Technology & Environment. "These flight tests provide further evidence that biojet fuels are technically viable and represent a promising path to reducing aviation greenhouse gas emissions."

Pratt & Whitney is a leader in the testing and certification of alternative jet fuels and has been working with industry groups, customers and aircraft manufacturers to explore alternative fuel options that improve fuel supplies and reduce environmental emissions. Pratt & Whitney Canada is also working with industry experts to develop and test alternative fuels for general aviation, business jets and the Virgin Galactic spaceship program.