ADAC Luftrettung completes first long-term air rescue project with SAF

ADAC Luftrettung has completed the world’s first long-term air rescue project using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), demonstrating significant environmental benefits without compromising operational performance.​

Over three years, two helicopters – Christoph Rheinland (Airbus H145) and Christoph Europa 1 (Airbus H135) – have logged over 1,800 flight hours using a SAF blend containing up to 38% bio-derived components. The SAF, produced from recycled vegetable oils, is a drop-in fuel compatible with existing infrastructure.​

Tobias Grein, researcher from the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) Institute of Combustion Technology, who supervised the project on the DLR side, said: “We used our mobile DLR measurement laboratory for the first measurement campaign of its kind and the only one of its kind to date. It contains special measuring and analysis equipment. These are suitable for investigating ultrafine particles down to a size of seven nanometers. Before each measurement campaign, we develop an individual concept and determine the setup, position of the measuring probe and the duration of the measurements. This is the only way to obtain reliable and comparable data.”

His conclusion: “These measurements were very exciting and also something special for our team to do all this live on a helicopter shortly before takeoff.”​

Key findings include a 44% reduction in ultrafine particle emissions when idle and a 33% reduction during cruise speeds. No adverse effects on engine performance or emissions of CO₂, CO, or NOx were observed. Engine manufacturers Safran Helicopter Engines and Pratt & Whitney Canada reported no significant wear differences compared with conventional kerosene use.​

Frédéric Bruder, CEO of ADAC Luftrettung, emphasized the organization’s commitment to decarbonizing air rescue operations and announced plans to increase the SAF blend to 100% and explore synthetic e-fuels (power-to-liquid) in the future.​

Jean-François Sauer, EVP Programs at Safran Helicopter Engines, commented: “This long-term trial of SAF use on an H145 helicopter powered by our Arriel engine is a major milestone. It demonstrates the compatibility of our engines with SAF on long-term operations and to characterize the environmental benefit, both for CO₂ and local pollutant emissions reduction.”​

This project, initiated in 2021 in collaboration with the DLR, Safran, Pratt & Whitney, and Airbus Helicopters, sets a precedent for sustainable practices in emergency medical services.

Nico Chabée, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Helicopters, at Pratt & Whitney Canada, recently discussed how engine technologies are propelling a more sustainable future for rotorcraft and helicopter emergency medical services.