28TH February 2014 - Shell Aviation today announced that its innovative new turbine engine oil (TEO), AeroShell Ascender, was successfully used in the Airbus A350 XWB MSN 04 test flight aircraft.
Proving AeroShell Ascender’s capability to be the TEO of choice for the Airbus A350 XWB, it successfully protected[i] the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, HGT1700 Auxiliary Power Unit and variable frequency generators during the flight and will continue to be used for the rest of its flight test programme.
Stéphane Cicolella, Shell Aviation’s General Manager for Lubricants said: “I am absolutely delighted to see AeroShell Ascender being successfully and safely used in the Airbus A350 XWB. This is a key milestone in Shell Aviation’s AeroShell Ascender approval journey and it is a matter of pride for us that it was the chosen engine oil for this test flight. Our customers can feel assured that in addition to the excellent performance and safety record that AeroShell Ascender has gained, it also meets the complete turbine engine oil requirements for this aircraft.”
Developed by Shell Aviation with the aim of exceeding the performance[ii] of current TEOs, AeroShell Ascender was designed for the new generation of gas turbine engines which operate at higher temperatures and have longer maintenance intervals, helping to reduce overall cost of operation. This innovative product offers industry leading anti-coking and wear protection whilst being kind to elastomer seals. AeroShell Ascender is one of the first TEO formulations to meet the new civil specifications SAE AS5780 for Grade High Performance Capability (HPC) oil. The use of HPC oil is increasingly important in modern thermally efficient engines.
Shell Aviation continues to work with the major aircraft, engine and component original equipment manufacturers to provide airlines with the latest and high performing turbine engine oil for their fleet. Shell Aviation is well positioned to respond to both current and future aircraft technology opportunities and challenges through its AeroShell Ascender product offering.
Since 2013, Shell’s own fleet of business jets has also been protected by AeroShell Ascender.
About Aeroshell Ascender
AeroShell Ascender has had five years of intensive testing. It has successfully operated for 15,000 flight cycles on service revenue aircraft and on different engine models. With over 1,800 completed hours of intensive use during the development testing of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine, AeroShell Ascender is demonstrating positive performance[iii] when compared to other commercially available HPC oils in the market.
AeroShell Ascender is currently approved for use on V2500 engines, Trent 1000 and a number of APUs. Shell Aviation has a development plan in place to gain approval on all major civil engines and aircraft TEO 5 cSt oil requirements.
About Shell Aviation
Shell Aviation is a leading global supplier of aviation fuels and lubricants with a heritage of over 100 years. We produce aviation fuels and lubricants (across a range of grades); market, sell and distribute them - as well as offer further related services to customers. We supply fuel at around 800 airports in approximately 40 countries. We refuel a plane every 12 seconds.
Our customers are airports and airlines, big and small, plus private customers such as corporate jet operators and flying clubs. We have one of the world’s most extensive fuelling networks and have a strong supply chain. Used worldwide, our AeroShell aviation lubricants range is one of the world’s most comprehensive with proven performance.
We have a portfolio of world-class brands and products and continue to invest in technical innovation. We have strong working relationships with OEMs, put the customer at the heart of what we do and respond to industry opportunities and challenges.
