B747-400 Flies With One Engine Fueled By Jatropha-Based
Jet-A
The world's first commercial aviation test flight powered by a
sustainable second-generation biofuel took-off at 11:30am New
Zealand time Monday from Auckland International Airport. The
approximately two-hour test flight utilized a biofuel blend of
50:50 jatropha and Jet A1 fuel to power one of the Air New Zealand
Boeing 747-400's Rolls-Royce RB211 engines.
The test flight was a joint initiative between Air New
Zealand, Boeing, Rolls-Royce and Honeywell’s UOP, as part of
commercial aviation's drive for more sustainable air travel for
future generations.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe called the
flight a milestone for the airline and commercial aviation. "Today
we stand at the earliest stages of sustainable fuel development and
an important moment in aviation history," he said. "Air New Zealand
is proud to be playing its role in that journey by being the first
to prove the viability of a second generation biofuel such as
jatropha."
Pilot in Command, Air New Zealand 747 Fleet Manager Captain
Keith Pattie and his crew operated the flight predominantly over
the wider Hauraki Gulf area. The crew conducted a number of tests
at various altitudes, and under a variety of operating conditions
to measure the biofuel's performance through the engine and fuel
systems.
The tests conducted included a full power take off, with
throttles advanced as per normal operating conditions, establishing
three-quarter power and then to full power. The 747 then climbed to
FL250. At between FL200 and FL250, the main fuel pump for the
number one engine was switched off, to test the lubricity of the
fuel, ensuring the friction of the fuel did not slow down its flow
to the engine.
Other tests included cruising flight at FL350, with
auto-throttles deactivated so the crew could manually set engine
controls and monitor performance parameters; two engine shutdowns
with one windmilling restart, and one starter-assisted restart; and
a simulated approach and go-around, which was followed by a nominal
landing.
Regardless of the ultimate success of the trial -- and Air New
Zealand says early indications are very encouraging -- the true
question is one of the economic feasibility of developing biofuels.
A number of carriers announced similar test flights since last
year,
and Virgin Atlantic flew a 'first generation'
biomass-fueled flight in February -- when petroleum
prices were a lot higher than they are now.
That allowed biofuel proponents to tout the economic advantages
of their products, as well as the environmental benefits... but now
that oil prices have plummeted from $147 per barrel to closer to
around $40, that cost advantage has evaporated.
It remains to be seen how persuasive the environmental argument
(jatropha emits about half the amount of carbon produced by
conventional Jet-A) will be, in the face of a very cost-conscious
economy.
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