In A First, Indian Air Force's AN-32 Aircraft Flies On Indigenous Bio-Jet Fuel From Leh

In a first, Indian Air Force or IAF’s AN-32 aircraft, powered with a 10 per cent blend of Indian bio-jet fuel took-off from Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh on Friday. This was the first operational flight when both engines of the aircraft were powered by the indigenous bio-jet fuel. Prior to undertaking the operational flight, the IAF had tested the aircraft at Chandigarh Air Base to validate its performance.

"The IAF's AN-32 aircraft was flight tested and its performance was validated at Chandigarh Air Base prior to undertaking the operational flight to Leh," the IAF said in an official statement.

The Indian Air Force had on January 24 landed the AN-32 aircraft with 10 per cent bio-jet fuel at Leh airfield, which is located at an altitude of 10,682 feet above sea level and considered one of the world’s most difficult operational airfields.

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The high altitude and its proximity to the Chinese border makes the flight even more crucial for the IAF. The weather at Leh poses a big challenge even to the conventionally powered engines and flying the aircraft on bio-jet fuel makes it quite an achievement.

"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 of test pilots from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, Bengaluru and pilots from the operational squadrons," the Ministry of Defence said in a press release.