It’s August 2024 and, much like the temperatures outside, the world of aviation is heating up with news from around the industry. Take a look at some of the top stories in aviation news over the last few weeks in our latest aviation news brief.
Identifying the Best Bioenergy Crops for Sustainable Aviation Fuels: A Regional and Policy-Based Approach
A recent study led by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has identified the best bioenergy crops for producing sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in different U.S. regions. The team, including agricultural and consumer economics professor Madhu Khanna, civil and environmental engineering professor Jeremy Guest, and crop sciences professor DoKyoung Lee, analyzed four biofuel crops: corn stover, energy sorghum, miscanthus, and switchgrass. They evaluated the financial and environmental costs and benefits of each feedstock to determine their suitability for various regional and policy goals.
The study highlights that each crop performs optimally in specific regions of the rainfed U.S. For example, miscanthus is best suited for the Midwest, switchgrass for the South, and energy sorghum for a small area in the Great Plains. While corn stover has the lowest break-even price, it has higher greenhouse gas intensity compared to the other crops, making it less favorable for reducing emissions.
This research aims to guide growers and policymakers in selecting the most appropriate feedstocks to meet goals like reducing production costs, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing soil carbon stocks. The findings are particularly relevant as the U.S. aims to expand SAF production to 3 billion gallons by 2030 and 35 billion gallons by 2050, in line with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge. Read more about the study in this article from Phys.org.
Airbus and Partners Launch $200 Million Fund to Boost Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
Airbus, Air France-KLM Group, Associated Energy Group, LLC, BNP Paribas, Burnham Sterling, Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., and Qantas Airways Limited have co-invested approximately $200 million in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Financing Alliance (SAFFA) to accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Established with the help of Burnham Sterling Asset Management, SAFFA aims to invest in mature SAF-producing projects, focusing on waste-based feedstocks and diverse production pathways across various regions.
Airbus is the anchor investor in this initiative, which seeks to enhance SAF availability and secure priority offtake contracts for each partner. SAFFA’s SAF investments will be eligible for RefuelEU Aviation and CORSIA certification. Its first investment is in Crysalis Biosciences, which has renovated the Monarch ethanol plant in Sauget, Illinois, to produce low-carbon SAF and biochemicals. The plant, upgraded and environmentally authorized, resumed operations in early 2024. Learn more here.
SAF Coalition Advocates for Science-Based Policies in USDA Comments
On July 25, 2024, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in response to Docket No. USDA-2024-0003, which focuses on greenhouse gas emissions quantification, reporting, and verification for biofuel production.
The Coalition endorses the USDA’s objective to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel development and outlines four key principles for the rulemaking process:
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Ensure federal policies are science-based and data-driven to maximize SAF potential, leveraging 40B and 45Z tax credits.
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Maintain technology and feedstock neutrality to realistically and verifiably reduce carbon intensity.
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Provide flexibility for new feedstocks and technologies.
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Implement simple, clear administrative practices.
These principles aim to foster a robust and adaptable SAF market in the U.S. To read the SAF Coalition’s full submission to the USDA, click here.
Innovative Landing Height System Enhances Safety for Pilots
In 2015, Nidal Robb transitioned to his high-performance Lancair 360 and developed the Landing Height System to assist in judging landing height. This innovative device, which announces altitude from 200 feet down to 1 foot, quickly gained popularity, leading to installations on over 500 experimental aircraft by 2019.
Following pilot requests, Robb pursued FAA approval through the Non-Required Safety Enhancing Equipment (NORSEE) initiative, receiving approval in late 2020. Since then, the Landing Height System has been installed on more than 1,300 certified aircraft. The system uses a laser and audio alerts to enhance landing accuracy, especially in low-light conditions.
In 2022, the company introduced a new model with a landing gear warning, providing additional safety by repeatedly alerting pilots if the gear is not down. The Landing Height System, approved as a minor alteration, can be installed by a certified mechanic in about six to eight hours, significantly improving landing safety for general aviation pilots. Read more on General Aviation News.
Kawaihāpai Airfield Secures Future with New 50-Year Lease
The Kawaihāpai Airfield (PHDH), formerly known as Dillingham Airfield, will continue operations under a new 50-year lease effective July 6, 2024, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT). This agreement resolves longstanding issues and ensures the airfield remains a vital economic resource for O‘ahu’s North Shore.
HDOT Director Ed Sniffen highlighted the collaborative effort involving the state, the Army Garrison Hawai‘i, the Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District, local businesses, elected officials, and community members. This partnership addressed critical lease and water system management issues, allowing HDOT to maintain federal grant eligibility for infrastructure improvements.
Governor Josh Green emphasized the airfield’s importance in aircraft training and the local economy. The new lease arrangement includes a Joint Use Agreement, securing HDOT’s operational rights and access to necessary water, while shifting responsibility for the Dillingham Public Water System to Aqua Engineers under a five-year license with the Army. Learn more from General Aviation News.
That’s a wrap on this month’s news! Be sure to check out our blog for more articles and resources related to all things aviation.
