GE Aviation Also Onboard In Search For Sustainable Energy Sources

Continental Airlines, Boeing and GE Aviation announced this week plans to conduct a biofuels demonstration flight in the first half of 2009, in an effort to identify sustainable fuel solutions for the aviation industry. Continental is the first major US carrier to announce plans to highlight technological advancements in sustainable biofuels that can help to further reduce carbon emissions.

"Exploring sustainable biofuels is a logical and exciting new step in our environmental commitment. For more than a decade, we have been focused on reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions, while providing industry-leading service to the places our customers want to go," said Mark Moran, Continental Airlines executive vice president of operations. "Boeing and GE Aviation have been frontrunners in pioneering technology that will benefit the aviation industry, customers, and the environment, and we are pleased to benefit from their expertise in this venture."

As ANN reported, Boeing and GE partnered with Virgin Atlantic earlier this year for the flight of a 747-400 on a biofuel blend composed of babassu oil and coconut oil. The companies noted both oils are economically and socially sustainable, and can be found in everyday cosmetic products including lip balm and shaving cream -- but that doesn't mean the 2009 flight will use the same fuel.

The North American biofuel flight will use a Boeing 737 equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines. In the months leading up to the flight, the companies will work together and with an undisclosed fuel provider to identify sustainable fuel sources that don't impact food crops, water resources or contribute to deforestation, and which can be produced in sufficient quantities to support a pre-flight test schedule that includes laboratory and ground-based jet engine performance testing to ensure compliance with stringent aviation fuel performance and safety requirements.

"Continental is taking an important step in advancing the use of sustainable biofuels in aviation," said Scott Donnelly, president and CEO of GE Aviation. "Working with our jet engine team at CFM International, GE has considerable experience in evaluating biofuels in jet engines for aviation and in aeroderivative engines for marine and industrial applications. GE and CFM are eager to get started in supporting Continental's exciting program."

Sustainable biofuels for aviation incorporate second-generation methodologies relative to fuel source selection and processing, which are uniquely suited for aerospace use. These biofuels can then be blended with kerosene fuel (Jet-A) to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

Additional details, including the flight plan, will be announced closer to the demonstration flight date.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.continental.com, www.geae.com