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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Jumbo Jet Flies on Veggie Oil

Boeing 747 powered by biofuel

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(Newser) – A Boeing 747 powered by a mixture of aviation fuel and vegetable oil flew on a two-hour test flight which is being hailed as a technological and ecological milestone. The Air New Zealand passenger jet was powered in part by oil from the jatropha plant, reports the BBC.

The International Air Transport Association has set a goal for a tenth of aviation fuel to come from biofuels by 2017. Biofuels are renewable and create fewer emissions, but they are controversial because their widespread use would involve turning fertile land over to the cultivation of energy crops at the expense of growing food.

The engine of a Boeing 747 powered by a 50/50 mix of aviation fuel and vegetable oil.
The engine of a Boeing 747 powered by a 50/50 mix of aviation fuel and vegetable oil.   (AP Photo/NZ Herald, Paul Estcourt)
Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe. His airline's successful test of a mixture of vegetable oil and aviation fuel is being hailed as a technological and ecological milestone.
Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe. His airline's successful test of a mixture of vegetable oil and aviation fuel is being hailed as a technological and ecological milestone.   (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
Air New Zealand's pilots pose with company CEO Rob Fyfe before their test of a biofuel mixture on a Boeing 747 flight.
Air New Zealand's pilots pose with company CEO Rob Fyfe before their test of a biofuel mixture on a Boeing 747 flight.   (AP Photo/NZ Herald, Paul Estcourt)
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4 comments
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Newser001
Dec 31, 08 11:39 AM CST
This is exciting and new for aviation, although the methodologies, regarding ground transportation (ethanol), uses food (corn, sugarcane, etc., for biofuels, is ludicrous. The US and German's used synthetic fuels during WWII, allowing aviation fuels to be supplemented and enhanced, but were derived primarily from coal. If we'd focus on the jatropha plant (toxic to humans), sawgrasses, and the like, then it will be both justifiable AND sustainable. But something must be done, regarding the environment. Perhaps this research will lead to even more bio-alternative resources... BTW, the original fuel designed for the combustible engine was based on plants, not oil - food for thought... Read the following link to learn more about the jatropha plant and its uses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jatropha . You may also learn more about synthetic fuel derived from coal, and uses during WWII, via this link : http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1981/jul-aug/becker.htm . Reply
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Newser001
Dec 31, 08 11:49 AM CST
BTW, sorry about the massive link for WWII development of synthetic fuels. Here's a mini-link to the same resource: http://tinyurl.com/preview.php?disable=1
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Zackary
Dec 31, 08 12:58 PM CST
Thanks for that interesting info.
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Newser001
Dec 31, 08 5:07 PM CST
¡De nanda! Reply
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