Virgin Fuels Flight with Coconut Oil
And claims world's first biofuel flight a success
Yesterday a 747-400 flew from Heathrow to Amsterdam Schiphol airport. Powered on 20% babassu and coconut oil (80% conventional fuel). What's shocking is that no modifications were made to the aircraft or the engines prior to the flight.
"Virgin Atlantic, and its partners, are proving that you can find an alternative to traditional jet fuel and fly a plane on new technology, such as sustainable biofuel," Sir Richard Branson said in an interview.
"This pioneering flight will enable those of us who are serious about reducing our carbon emissions to go on developing the fuels of the future, fuels which will power our aircraft in the years ahead through sustainable next-generation oils, such as algae."
Greepeace is calling the experiment all "spin and greenwash," claiming using coconut oil will lead to deforestation of Amazon rainforests. The World Development Movement says the whole thing is nothing more than a publicity stunt "with dangerous consequences for the planet."
The 40 minute flight was a success in our books, even though the fuel is not yet ready to be used during commercial flights.
The fuel didn't freeze at a high altitude, which opens the door to testing more sustainable fuels, such as algae. Produced in sewage treatment plants, algae won't drain global food resources.
Right or wrong, actually doing something is the first step to solving the problem.
Wonder if Greenpeace has an alternative suggestion...
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