Why Sustainable Aviation Fuel Is Changing More Than Just the Fuel Tank
- HYSKY Society
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
A New Engineering Course from AIAA and HYSKY Society
For years, discussions around Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) have focused on production pathways, carbon intensity, government policy, and sustainability targets.
Those conversations are important.
But they often overlook an equally important question:
What does Sustainable Aviation Fuel mean for the engineers designing tomorrow's aircraft?
That's exactly the question we set out to answer when HYSKY Society partnered with AIAA to develop
Advanced Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Aircraft Design—a five-week, live online course designed specifically for engineers, researchers, students, and aviation professionals.
Unlike many SAF programs that focus primarily on policy or fuel production, this course takes an engineering-first approach, examining how fuel choice influences every stage of aircraft design.
Fuel Changes More Than What's in the Tank
One of the biggest realizations during the development of this course was that changing the fuel changes far more than the fuel system.
It changes combustion.
It changes propulsion system design.
It influences aircraft architecture.
It affects materials compatibility.
It shapes airport infrastructure.
It impacts certification requirements.
It changes multidisciplinary design optimization.
Ultimately, it changes how engineers think about designing aircraft.
That's why understanding Sustainable Aviation Fuel isn't just about understanding fuel.
It's about understanding aviation as a complete engineering system.
Why This Course Is Different
Most courses on Sustainable Aviation Fuel answer questions like:
How is SAF produced?
What feedstocks are available?
What policies encourage adoption?
How much carbon can SAF reduce?
Those are valuable discussions.
But engineers also need answers to questions such as:
How does Sustainable Aviation Fuel behave inside a gas turbine engine?
What changes occur in combustion performance?
How does fuel choice influence aircraft conceptual design?
How do hydrogen, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and electric propulsion compare for different missions?
What are the certification challenges associated with alternative fuels?
How do airport infrastructure and supply chains evolve alongside new fuel technologies?
How can multidisciplinary design optimization incorporate fuel selection into aircraft design?
Those are the questions this course explores.
Learn from World-Class Experts
The course brings together internationally recognized experts from academia and industry, each teaching within their area of expertise.
Faculty include:
Dr. Swapnil Jagtap
Dr. Joshua Heyne
Dr. Matthew Clarke
Dr. Carlos Mourão
Dr. Bhupendra Khandelwal
Dr. Jasenka Rakas
Dr. Eva Maleviti
Together, these instructors provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Sustainable Aviation Fuel from multiple engineering perspectives, including combustion science, propulsion, aircraft design, materials, airport operations, infrastructure, optimization, lifecycle assessment, and certification.
Course Topics
Over five weeks, participants will explore:
Combustion, Engine Integration, and Emissions
Understand how Sustainable Aviation Fuel influences combustion characteristics, engine operability, emissions formation, and overall aircraft performance.
Aircraft and Propulsion System Design
Examine how fuel choice shapes aircraft architecture, propulsion integration, hybrid-electric concepts, and mission-level performance.
Materials, Fuel Systems, and Certification
Learn about materials compatibility, fuel system requirements, safety considerations, and certification pathways for Sustainable Aviation Fuel and future fuels.
Airport Infrastructure and Supply Chains
Explore production pathways, blending, logistics, airport infrastructure, and cross-border supply chain challenges associated with Sustainable Aviation Fuel deployment.
Fuel-Aware Aircraft Design
Discover how multidisciplinary design optimization incorporates fuel selection into aircraft conceptual design, balancing performance, economics, sustainability, and operational considerations.
Sustainability and Lifecycle Assessment
Place engineering decisions within the broader context of lifecycle emissions, carbon intensity, certification, policy, and long-term aviation decarbonization.
Who Should Attend?
This course is designed for:
Aerospace engineers
Aircraft designers
Propulsion engineers
Combustion specialists
Fuel system engineers
Airport planners
Aviation researchers
Graduate students
Aerospace engineering students
Airline technical professionals
Aviation sustainability specialists
Anyone interested in the future of flight
Whether you're already working with Sustainable Aviation Fuel or simply want to understand where aviation is heading, this course provides both the technical depth and practical perspective needed to navigate one of the industry's fastest-evolving fields.
Engineering the Future of Flight
One of the most exciting aspects of aviation today is that multiple technologies are advancing simultaneously.
Hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Electric propulsion.
Hybrid-electric systems.
Novel aircraft configurations.
Each technology presents unique opportunities—and unique engineering challenges.
Rather than positioning these technologies as competitors, this course examines where each technology makes the most engineering sense based on mission requirements, aircraft design constraints, infrastructure readiness, certification, and operational considerations.
Because the future of aviation will not be defined by a single solution.
It will be defined by engineers who understand how these solutions work together.
Course Details
Advanced Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Aircraft Design
Dates: September 22 – October 23, 2026
Format: Live online (11 live classes, 22 instructional hours)
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00–3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (USA), with a final Friday session on October 23
Recordings: Every session is recorded and available for replay.
Course Materials: Downloadable course notes included.
Certificate: Participants receive an AIAA Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of the course.
Join Us
Whether you're designing aircraft, developing propulsion systems, researching Sustainable Aviation Fuel, planning airport infrastructure, or simply passionate about the future of aviation, this course offers an opportunity to learn directly from some of the leading experts shaping the next generation of flight.
The future of aviation isn't just about changing the fuel.
It's about understanding how every engineering decision influences the aircraft, the infrastructure, and the industry as a whole.
✈️ Enroll in the course today:
