Helicopters use aviation gasoline (avgas) with piston engines and Jet A or A1 with turboshaft engines. The article reports hourly fuel use of 5–20 gallons for piston models and 25 to over 1,000 gallons for turbine-powered helicopters.
Piston engines require avgas rated at 100 octane or higher, while Jet A is kerosene-derived. The article describes Jet A as less volatile, with a higher flash point, and less costly than avgas.
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can be made from non-petroleum sources including agricultural products, wood waste, used oil, urban solid waste and algae. The article says production methods include hydrotreatment, alcohol-to-jet and CO₂ capture for e-fuel, and describes SAF as renewable and lower-emission than fossil fuels.
