DEA Aviation and Ordnance Survey trial sustainable air fuel

DEA Aviation, a technology-led aerial data acquisition company, has completed the first stage of a trial using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with Ordnance Survey (OS), the national mapping service for Great Britain. The trial consisted of a series of missions as part of OS’s national cyclic revision programme to capture aerial imagery to maintain and update Great Britain’s National Geographic Database.

DEA works with OS as an exclusive partner to survey and collect high-resolution aerial imagery of Great Britain. This specialist work supports OS in maintaining and ensuring the National Geographic Database is up to date so that thousands of customers across the public and private sectors have access to detailed, accurate and trusted location data.

As a government organization, OS is conscious of reaching the carbon net-zero targets mandated by the UK government and is working with suppliers, such as DEA, to ensure these goals on emissions are met.

Decarbonizing the industry comes with a series of significant challenges relating to the substitution of Jet A1 fuel, the traditional hydrocarbon-based propulsion source more commonly known as kerosene. Difficulties such as technological limitations, low energy densities of alternative fuels, higher costs, infrastructure requirements and international collaboration together prevent adoption of alternative fuels that would lead to decarbonization of the industry as a whole.

Reducing carbon emissions of aerial mapping missions

By 2030, at least 10% of jet fuel must be made from sustainable sources. According to the IATA, SAFs could contribute around 65% of the reduction in emissions needed by aviation to reach net-zero in 2050. Sourcing and trialling less-carbon-emitting alternatives this year allows DEA and OS to better adapt to potential barriers that will impede total adoption of these alternatives before the deadline.

Paul Evans, senior business manager at DEA  said: “At DEA we are proud to be a part of this monumental first step towards a carbon net-zero aviation industry. This trial has allowed us to begin discovering the full-scale advantages and challenges of using greener alternatives as a main source of fuel for the flights of the future. We’re excited to continue this work with OS as a company that is dedicated to improving our impact on the environment and our communities over time.”

John Kimmance, managing director of OS National Mapping Services, commented: “Sustainability is one of Ordnance Survey’s top priorities and is it great to be part of this industry-leading trial. We are continually striving to implement new measures to reduce our carbon footprint, from modifications at our head office including LED lighting and solar panels, to rolling out EV cars to our national network of surveyors. We will continuously work closely with DEA to understand the results of the trial.”

“In addition to being an organization with ambitious net zero targets, we also support customers in tackling their own challenges with our data, services and expertise. Aerial data is essential in monitoring and tracking the impact of climate change and the success of intervention measures, whether peatland restoration, urban heat maps or monitoring pollution.”