Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 31

The Indian Air Force (IAF) achieved another milestone when an An-32 tactical transport aircraft powered with 10 per cent blend of Indian bio-jet fuel took off from the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh, today. This is the first time that both engines of the aircraft were powered by the bio-jet indigenous fuel.

The aircraft was flight tested and its performance was validated at the Chandigarh Air Base prior to undertaking the operational flight to Leh, according to IAF sources.

Leh, at an altitude of 10,682 ft above mean sea level, is among one of the world’s highest and most difficult operational airfield and is prone to extreme weather conditions. Even during clear weather conditions, landing and taking off an aircraft at Leh is challenging due to reduced power output of the aircraft engines in the rarefied atmosphere, turbulent wind conditions and proximity to mountainous terrain.

Evaluating the performance of bio-jet fuel under these conditions is important from operational perspectives. It validates the capability of the aero-engine to operate smoothly with bio-jet fuel at the extremities of the operational envelope. The tests were conducted by a team comprising test pilots from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, Bengaluru, and pilots from the operational squadrons.

This successful test flight also demonstrates IAF’s capabilities to absorb newer technology, while sponsoring indigenisation. The technology to produce this fuel was developed by CSIR’s Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, in 2013, but could not be tested and certified for commercial use due to lack of concurrent aviation test facilities in the country. In 2018, the IAF sponsored this project and channelised its human and material resources for the complete range of fuel testing.

The IAF had first used biofuel blend in aircraft last year when an An-32 had flown over Rajpath in New Delhi during the Republic Day fly-past.

Bio-jet fuel is produced from non-edible “tree-borne oils”, grown and procured from the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh. IAF’s efforts would assist in reducing carbon footprint.

Another milestone

• This is the first time that both engines of the An-32 aircraft were powered by bio-jet indigenous fuel
• Leh, at an altitude of 10,682 ft above mean sea level, is among one of the world’s highest and most difficult operational airfield
• This successful test flight also demonstrates IAF’s capabilities to absorb newer technology, while sponsoring indigenisation
• Bio-jet fuel is produced from non-edible ‘tree-borne oils’, grown and procured from the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh