The much publicised bio-fuel test flight of Air New Zealand was conducted successfully. Congratulations to the teams at Air New Zealand, Boeing, Rolls Royce, and UOP division of Honeywell.
The blend of fuel was 50% Jet A-1, and 50% Jatropha oil. The Jatropha plant is grown extensively in India, and bio-diesel is slowly inching its way in to the market. I have opined before, that airlines in India, who are constantly complaining about the cost of fuel should strongly consider the bio-fuel option.
While there are many stories on the flight, I found George Raine’s article at the San Francisco Chronicle, and Kris Hall’s article at The Dominion Post, the most comprehensive technically.
More details can be found at Air New Zealand’s website.
TV NZ has an article along with a video report, which I reproduce below as a convenience to Bangalore Aviation readers.
Read more articles on biofuel at Bangalore Aviation.