Tue, Sep 27, 2011
Biofuels Receive ASTM Nod For Use In Engines Certified For Jet
A Or Jet A-1
The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness
Information Bulletin (SAIB) advising aircraft operators, Fixed Base
Operators (FBOs), FAA repair stations and FSDOs, and Foreign Civil
Aviation Authorities, that jet fuel made from hydroprocessed fatty
acid esters and fatty acids (HEFA) or Fischer Tropsch (FT)
synthetic blending components that meets the requirements of ASTM
International Standard D7566 is acceptable for use on aircraft and
engines certificated for operation with D1655 Jet A or Jet A-1 jet
fuel, provided that it is re-identified as D1655 fuel. When
re-identified as D1655 fuel, D7566 jet fuel meets all the
specification requirements of D1655 and therefore meets the
approved operating limitations for aircraft and engines
certificated to operate with D1655 fuel, unless otherwise
prohibited by the engine or aircraft type certificate (TC)
holder.
ASTM International issued ASTM Standard Specification D7566,
“Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing
Synthesized Hydrocarbons,” for drop-in jet fuel from
alternative feedstocks in September 2009. This specification
defines properties for semi-synthetic jet fuel made from blending
conventional jet fuel with synthetic blending components that are
specified in individual annexes. These semi-synthetic jet fuels
specified in D7566 possess essentially identical composition,
properties, and performance to conventional jet fuels. This
specification initially included only one annex for synthetic fuel
from coal, biomass, and natural gas produced using the FT process.
On July 1, 2011, a second annex was added to this specification to
permit the use of HEFA synthetic blending components. HEFA is
considered a biofuel because it is made from plant oils or animal
fats. Both D7566 and the existing specification for conventional
jet fuel, ASTM International Standard D1655, “Standard
Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels” are crossreferenced
to allow D7566 fuels to be re-identified as D1655 fuels when they
enter the distribution system. When re-identified, D7566 fuels made
with HEFA or FT blending components meet existing FAA-approved
operating limitations, unless otherwise prohibited by the engine or
aircraft TC holder.
The FAA says the following recommendations apply to HEFA or FT
fuels meeting ASTM specification D7566 that are re-identified to
ASTM D1655 Jet A or Jet A-1 fuels (unless otherwise prohibited by
the engine or aircraft Type Certificate (TC) holder):
- These fuels are acceptable for use on those aircraft and
engines that are approved to operate with Jet A or Jet A-1 fuels
meeting D1655.
- Operating Limitations in Aircraft Flight Manuals, Pilot
Operating Instructions, or Type Certificate Data Sheets that
specify ASTM D1655 Jet A or Jet A-1 fuel are acceptable for use
with these fuels.
- Current aircraft placards that specify Jet A or Jet A-1 fuels
are acceptable for use with these fuels.
- Operating, maintenance or other service documents for aircraft
and engines that are approved to operate ASTM D1655 Jet A or Jet
A-1 fuel are acceptable for use when operating with these
fuels.
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