Event showcases sustainable alternative jet fuel

AOPA President Mark Baker attended the Jan. 17 event, “Business Jets Fuel Green: A Step Toward Sustainability” that brought together aviation groups and Los Angeles-area civic leaders to help raise awareness of the safety and accessibility of sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF).

The event demonstrated “our industry’s commitment to building the necessary demand for SAJF that will be integral to achieving industry climate emissions goals,” noted Pete Bunce, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

Flight demonstrations by business aircraft emphasized the safety of sustainable fuels with no loss of aircraft performance. Using sustainable fuels reduces particulate matter in the air and reflects “the commitment by business aviation to aircraft carbon reduction,” said the SAJF Initiative Coalition, the sponsoring organization, in a news release.

“Business aviation has long led the way in promoting advances aimed at reducing the industry's environmental footprint,” said National Business Aviation Association President Ed Bolen. “We are proud to celebrate this major industry milestone, and look forward to launching SAJF flights in locations around the world.”

As the site of the first event focused on business aircraft using alternative fuels, Van Nuys Airport’s status as one of the world’s busiest general aviation airports, with 231,000 annual operations supporting private, business, and government aviation, was noted.

“Van Nuys Airport is committed to leading the way in environmental sustainability,” said Van Nuys Airport Association President Curt Castagna. “The airport’s four fixed-base operators participating in this initiative exemplify the Van Nuys Airport Association’s long history of building collaborative partnerships among industry, business and community stakeholders to achieve meaningful progress and change.”