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Virgin Tests First Biofuel Plane

Jet flies on coconuts and babassu nuts

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Feb 24, 2008 12:35 PM CST
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(Newser) – A Virgin Atlantic jet powered partially by a coconut- and Brazilian babassu nut-based biofuel made it from London to Amsterdam today in the first commercial flight to do so, the BBC reports. Virgin topdog Richard Branson hailed the flight as "pioneering" in the development of "fuels of the future," but environmentalists denounced the experiment as a publicity stunt.

The Boeing 747 wasn't carrying passengers and three of four engines were filled with conventional fuel in case of emergency, but Virgin hopes to run on plant-based fuels within 10 years. But green experts say biofuels will only further damage the environment: "What we need to do is stop to the mad expansion of aviation," said one activist.

Jim McNerney, chairman and chief executive of Boeing Co., right, looks over at Virgin Atlantic Chairman Richard Branson as it was announced Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in Chicago that Virgin Atlantic had ordered 15 of Boeing's new 787 Dreamliners and that the Chicago-based plane maker is partnering with the London-based...
Jim McNerney, chairman and chief executive of Boeing Co., right, looks over at Virgin Atlantic Chairman Richard Branson as it was announced Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in Chicago that Virgin Atlantic had...   (Associated Press)
Virgin Atlantic Chairman Richard Branson, center left, and Jim McNerney, chairman and chief executive of Boeing Co., pose for photographers inside a display of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with two flight attendants after a news conference in Chicago, Tuesday, April 24, 2007, where it was announced that the London-based carrier...
Virgin Atlantic Chairman Richard Branson, center left, and Jim McNerney, chairman and chief executive of Boeing Co., pose for photographers inside a display of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with two flight...   (Associated Press)
Virgin Atlantic's 747 takes off at London's Heathrow Airport headed for Amsterdam for the first Bio-fuel flight by an airline from Britain, Sunday Feb. 24, 2008 (AP Photo/PA, Steve Parsons)
Virgin Atlantic's 747 takes off at London's Heathrow Airport headed for Amsterdam for the first Bio-fuel flight by an airline from Britain, Sunday Feb. 24, 2008 (AP Photo/PA, Steve Parsons)   (Associated Press)
Virgin Atlantic's 747 is pushed out of the Virgin Hanger at London's Heathrow Airport to take off to Amsterdam for the first Bio-fuel flight by an airline from Britain, Sunday Feb. 24, 2008 (AP Photo/PA, Steve Parsons)
Virgin Atlantic's 747 is pushed out of the Virgin Hanger at London's Heathrow Airport to take off to Amsterdam for the first Bio-fuel flight by an airline from Britain, Sunday Feb. 24, 2008 (AP Photo/PA,...   (Associated Press)
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Guide to biofuels
BBC

More on biofuels and the airline industry
BBC

 
Richard Branson • London • biofuel • Virgin Atlantic • Amsterdam • jet • Boeing 747 • coconuts • babassu nuts

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