Test Flight on Aircraft Run by Camelina-Jatropha-Algae-based Biofuel a Success

Japan Airlines is reported to be the first Asian airline to have conducted a successful demonstration flight on an aircraft (Boeing 747-300) with one engine run by a “cocktail blend” of the following second generation biofuels: camelina (84%), jatropha (less than 16%) and algae (less than 1%). The one-and-a half hour test flight conducted in January this year had no modifications on the biofuel-powered jet engine, and the biofuel blend was used as a “drop-in replacement” for the conventional petroleum-based fuel. Camelina (also known as “false flax”), is considered a good biofuel feedstock because of its high oil content and its ability to grow in rotation with wheat and other cereal crops. These are in addition to camelina being non-food-based bioenergy crop. According to Boeing Japan President, Nicole Piasecki, the airline industry is “already working to secure its fuel future supply by establishing firm sustainable criteria to ensure that environmental impacts and carbon dioxide emissions from biofuels are significantly lower than fossil-fuel-based kerosene fuels”.

Related information on camelina:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CAMEL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelina
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/camelina-another-biofuel-feedstock-to-consider.php