ABOVE: The FAAM aircraft will use blended SAF on all missions from its home base of Cranfield

The FAAM Airborne Laboratory research aircraft – a uniquely configured BAe 146 – will now use blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for all flights departing its home base of Cranfield, thanks to new fuel storage and aircraft refuelling infrastructure recently installed at the airport.

The partnership between Cranfield Airport and the FAAM Airborne Laboratory to secure a supply of SAF onsite was supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), who own the aircraft. The newly installed facilities (with a capacity of 40,000 litres) were also made possible through an investment by the Natural Environment Research Council, the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, and Cranfield Airport itself.

“Much of our research focuses on air pollution and climate change, and as we move towards a low-carbon future the ways in which we study these topics need to change. Using SAF is one approach to minimising the FAAM aircraft’s environmental impact while maintaining its research capabilities,” commented Alan Woolley, Head of the FAAM Airborne Laboratory.

With the aircraft approved to use up to 50% blended SAF, adoption of the fuel has the potential to reduce its net carbon dioxide emissions by 35% per flight, explained Cranfield University. The FAAM Aircraft will also increase its use of the fuel (depending on availability) from other airports, and “wherever practicably possible for overseas scientific monitoring projects”.

Airport Director of Cranfield Airport Rob Abbott added that the introduction of SAF onsite represented “a major step forward in reducing [the airport’s] environmental footprint and builds on existing work to decarbonise airport operations”; concluding that “providing SAF at the airport is another step forward for net zero aviation ambitions”.

The FAAM Airborne Laboratory research aircraft is owned by UKRI and the Natural Environmental Research Council, managed through the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, and leased through the University of Leeds. It is supported, modified and upgraded by BAE Systems, operated by Airtask Group, and maintained by Avalon Aero.

IMAGE: CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY