Shell Aviation today announced it supplied the engine oils for a memorial flight thatrecreated an important aviation event that Shell did the same for 100 years ago.
Ahistoric Catalina seaplane landed on Sunday having replicated the 1913 Circuitof Britain, which was the first major competition for seaplanes. The commonaviation engine oil in 1913 was a simple castor oil. 100 years on, the Catalinaused the modern AeroShell100, part of Shell's extensive range of high-quality oilscapable of protecting technically-advanced engines operating at extremes oftemperatures and speeds.
XavierHery, General Manager for Shell Aviation Middle East and South Africa, said: "Althoughthis event happened in the UK, it is a good opportunity to stop and rememberhow far aviation has come in the last 100 years. Milestones like this allow usto remember our business's heritage, while we continue to innovate for thefuture. In the last 100 years Shell has been involved in many of theinnovations that enable flight as we now know it. We will continue to developtechnologically-advanced products that support our customers throughout ourregion every day."
Aviationtechnology has come a long way since its first tentative steps in the early20th century. Then, engines using castoroil could only operate for about 10 hours before needing a service. TodayShell's performance engine oils help modern engines fly at speeds unimaginablein 1913 for thousands of hours, before the need of an overhaul.
Overthe last 100 years, flight has become an irreplaceable part of society,bringing people together and creating opportunities for trade and tourism.Shell Aviation has been involved in the development of modern aviation everystep of the way and this will continue into the future. Examples of Shell'sinnovation include developing the first high-octane aviation fuel (avgas) inthe 1930s, which allowed more powerful and faster flight. In the followingdecades, Shell supported the development of the jet engine, formulated syntheticengine oil specifically for the Concorde's supersonic engines and fuelled itsfirst flight. More recently Shell has developed the high-performance AeroShellAscender engine oil, designed specifically for the latest jet engines. Shellhas also developed a cleaner burning jet fuel made from natural gas, which isproduced at the Pearl gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant in Qatar. The first commercialflight was fuelled with GTL Jet Fuel fuelled in January this year.
Shell Aviation is proud ofits long heritage and will continue to invest in new products for modernaircraft and fuel efficiency, today and into the future.
ShellAviation remains active in this region and continues to supply specialtyaviation fuels, lubricants and greases across the Middle East. For the third consecutiveyear Shell Aviation has been named the best aviation fuel provider for theMiddle Eastern and surrounding region at the Emerging Markets Aviation Awards(EMAA). Shell has branded operations atairports in the UAE and Oman, and serves customers through third partydistributors. In the UAE Shell Aviationhas recently signed a fuel concession agreement with Dubai World Central, AlMaktoum International Airport. This agreement supports its presence in the UAE whilealso expanding its international airport network. And in Dubai Shell andExecuJet Middle East recently announced a new refuelling partnership at DubaiInternational Airport.
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About the 1913 Circuit of Britain Race
The1913 Circuit of Britain Race was the first major competition for seaplanes. Itwas part of a series of awards given by Lord Northcliffe to encourage thedevelopment of global aviation. As the original aircraft that took part is nolonger airworthy, the memorial flight was carried out in a historic Catalinaseaplane- the oldest flying seaplane in the UK. The flight took five days and followed therace's original route as closely as possible, giving a number of aerialdemonstrations along the way.
Between 1905 and 1925 Lord Northcliffeawarded over 15 prizes for various aviation challenges. As well as the Circuitof Britain Race, Shell also supplied fuels and lubricants for other awards,such as the first cross-channel flight in 1909 by Louis Bleriot, and Alcock andBrown's crossing of the Atlantic in 1919.
For more information about the centenaryflight and on Harry Hawker, please click here. Please note that this is not a Shell-affiliatedwebsite.
About Shell Aviation
Shell is active across the full aviationvalue chain. We produce aviation fuels and lubricants (across a range ofgrades); market, sell and distribute them - as well as offer further relatedservices to customers.
Shell Aviation is a leading global supplierof aviation fuels and lubricants with a heritage of over 100 years. We supplyfuel at 800 airports in approximately 40 countries, including John F. Kennedyin New York, London Heathrow, Changi International in Singapore and Hong KongInternational. We refuel a plane every 12 seconds. Our customers are airportsand airlines, big and small, plus private customers such as corporate jetoperators and flying clubs.
We have one of the world's most extensivefuelling networks and have a strong supply chain. We have a portfolio of world-classbrands and products and continue to invest in technical innovation. We havestrong working relationships with OEMs, put the customer at the heart of whatwe do and respond to industry opportunities and challenges.
For media enquiries contact:
Mr.Nureddin Wefati
Headof Media Relations for Middle East & North Africa
ShellEP International
Tel:+97147055347
Cell:+971562162409
Nureddin.Wefati@Shell.com
Mr.Ali Khan
SpokespersonMiddle East & North Africa
ShellEP International Ltd
Tel: +971 4 405 4563
Cell:+971 501 897 480
Ali-nasir.khan@shell.com
© Press Release 2013
